Wiki presents the Full Story of a Managerial Football Genius best known by the Nickname ‘Cholo‘.
Our version of Diego Simeone’s Biography, including his Childhood Story, brings you a complete account of notable events from his boyhood days right until he became famous.
The analysis of Diego Simeone’s Bio involves his life story before fame, family life and many OFF and ON-Pitch little-known facts about him.
Without a doubt, since after leading Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title and 2 Champions League finals, pundits have considered him as one of the best managers in Europe. Now, without further ado, let us begin;
Diego Simeone Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, Diego Pablo Simeone Gonazles was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 28, 1970 to Don Carlos Alberto Simeone (father) and Mrs Maria Pablo Simeone (mother).
He grew up in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires and began playing football on the street. He did not have a disadvantaged childhood like Alexis Sanchez, which we’ve written.
Diego Simeone’s mother was a hairdresser while his father, an amateur footballer who later turned salesman. Both were extremely hardworking. Little wonder Diego Simeone took their genes.
Simeone says it is from his parents that he learned to work hard and he was also influenced by their constant routine. According to him,
“My parents taught me values, respect, order, everything that has helped me in life. That includes my ruggedness on the pitch. They were very noble”
As a kid, he got gifted in sports thanks to trainings from his dad. He was a fan favourite for his attitude which he puts down to his upbringing. Diego battled through the youth system at his first club Velez Sarsfield.
Diego Simeone was so good that he played for three amateur clubs at once. “Star of Gold, Caseros; General Paz, of Mataderos, and El Fortín, of Devoto”.
He would shuttle between the three. “I went from one side to the other, sometimes on the same day,” confirms Diego Simeone.
He always won games for his three clubs because that’s what it’s all about being a Simeone.
Diego Simeone Family Life:
Starting off, his father, Don Carlos Alberto Simeone, played amateur soccer in his youth. He is a major player when it comes to his son’s managerial career decisions.
As many would put it, “Diego Simeone always respect and listens to his father’s advise.”
Simeone’s father once revealed when his son will depart the Athletico Madrid and putting the likes of Arsenal, who are looking into Arsene Wenger’s eventual replacement, on red alert.
According to Carlos Alberto Simeone, “My son is very comfortable in Madrid. But I think that at some point, a change will come,” He revealed this when he discussed with the Argentinian newspaper La Nacion.
He also promised he will convince his son to coach a national team when he gets between the age of 50 and 55. Don Carlos Alberto Simeone retired as a coach of River Plate, where he coached his grandson Giovanni Simeone in 2008.
Diego Simeone Sister:
Diego Simeone has a sister named Natalia Simeone. She is a professional football agent who currently manages her brother’s coaching career.
Over the years, Natalia has played leading roles in her brother’s transfer/contract negotiations, financial planning, sponsorship and investment. She is among the best Argentine female football agent with an outstanding professional fill.
Diego Simeone Love Story – Who is Carolina Baldini?
Carolina Baldini who is also known in Argentina as ‘La Chola‘ was born in Buenos Aires, in December 1976. Carolina was a model and a childhood sweetheart of Diego Simeone.
He meet her when she was 19 at a popular night club in Argentina. They both dated for two years before getting married on July 22, 1994. It was a befitting wedding as Limousines was used as all escorts.
After their fab wedding, she quit modelling a became a soccer WAG and momma of three handsome boys.
Ideally, on 5th July 1995, their marriage was blessed with a son, Giovanni Simeone. Two more sons followed; their names are Gianluca and Giuliano Simeone.
Diego Simeone Divorce Story:
Diego Simeone and his wife, Carolina Baldini decided to part their ways and divorce after almost two decades of being married.
The couple’s marriage has been plagued by infidelity rumours on both parts. Affair rumours once circulated around Argentine media outlets.
Between 2009 and 2010 Diego and Caro split up, media reported a series of articles about the possible cause of their breakup, they suggested that was due to an alleged affair between Diego and 21-year-old model Julieta Espina.
To get back at her husband, Baldini was photographed getting cozy in the Brazilian and Mexican beaches with a blonde long/haired guy with a smoking body, who was later identified as Fabian Orlovsky (The popular Argentine He-Man).
During an interview Carolina commented about the infamous photos of her and Fabian, and said that she told Diego about it, she also commented that she and He-Man have been friends for years, “Fabian is a gym teacher and lifeguard and nothing happened between them.”
According to recent reports Diego and Carolina tried to save their marriage but to no avail, eventually decided to split up and started the divorced proceedings in the most amicable way for the sake of their sons.
After the divorce, Carolina Baldino competed in the Argentine version of Dancing with the Stars and Dancing on Ice.
She also made her comeback to modelling that year and started hosting television shows. Luckily they started talking in 2011. She remained in Argentina while her ex-husband signed with Atletico Madrid.
Life after Divorce:
After their divorce, it took Simeone about 2 years to stay out of the relationship spotlight. However, it wasn’t difficult for the Argentine to find love again.
He later revealed to many his new relationship with the gorgeous Carla Pereyra who is 16-years his junior.
Rumours about their relationship were first reported in 2014 after confirming they are indeed very close and have become a couple.
The alleged couple was even spotted having dinner severally. They held hands and showed serious love to each other.
It is pertinent to note that Carla Pereyra is also from Argentina just like her man. Thou she has lived in Spain for about a decade. Her love life itself has been very complicated.
The model actually became famous for her romance with the Spanish ballet and flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortés.
She has also been romantically linked to PP politician Alejando Ballestero. Moreso, she is also Antonio de la Rua’s (Son of ex Argentine President) ex-girlfriend.
Not so long after her relationship with Diego Simeone started, Carla became pregnant. News about Carla Pereyra’s pregnancy was first reported in April 2016. On September 30th 2016, Carla Pereyra gave birth to a baby girl named Francesca.
“The greatest thing in life, love for our children! Welcome Francesca,” Simeone wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of the baby’s hand clutching his.
Diego Simeone Sons:
Diego Simeone’s first son Giovanni Simeone was born in Madrid while his father was playing for Atlético Madrid.
His family moved to Italy in 1997 but later returned to Spain in 2003 following his father’s career club changes.
Two years later Giovanni moved to Argentina and joined River Plate‘s youth setup in 2008 when his father was appointed coach of the first team.
The former Argentina midfielder’s eldest son, Giovanni Simeone, plays for Genoa in Serie A as a striker. He is also a member of the Argentine U23 senior team.
His two younger brothers, Giuliano and Gianluca holds both Argentine and Spanish nationality but represents Argentina internationally.
Diego Simeone Biography Facts -History behind Nickname:
Simeone’s nickname, “Cholo,” was given to him by one of his primary school teachers named Oscar Nesi.
Back then Diego Simeone showed too much aggression and combativeness on the field as a player.
Such aggressive style was similar to a former player Carmelo Simeone (not related) who formed the basis of Diego’s Cholo nickname.
The Argentinian once spoke about his nickname in a question-answer session with FIFA.com and said,
“There used to be a Carmelo Simeone at Boca Juniors who they called Cholo but that’s not how I got my nickname.
It happened when one of my primary school teachers Oscar Nesi called me it and it just stuck. In my youthful days, I was physically intimidating and was also a hard tackler.”
Diego Simeone could bleed in the field and still refuse to go out for treatment. To many, its the El Cholo effect.
Diego Simeone Untold Biography Facts -His Physical Education Training Style:
If not for football, Simeone would have studied Physical Education. It’s fair to say, Diego Simeone is a mean-looking man, with a mean personality and a mean management style. But, it also turns out, that he delivers a hardcore training session.
Maybe this is the reason why Griezmann is exceptionally fit at Euro 2016Ideally, things do not always work out for people, and one must always have a backup in all walks of life, including and especially their careers.
What would Simeone have done if he would not have played football? He would have studied Physical Education.
Talking about an alternate career choice, the Argentinian once claimed,
“In secondary school, they once asked us what we wanted to be. Someone said a lawyer, one said an accountant and another said a doctor.
When I said ‘footballer’, everybody burst out laughing. If football hadn’t worked out I planned to study Physical Education.” It always has to be physical for Simeone. Doesn’t it?
Diego Simeone Biography Facts – Lack of Fear:
He feared no one but himself. Fearful would probably be one of the last words that could be used to describe Diego Simeone.
Never too far from a confrontation, Simeone was always like a raging bull on the field and in his own words, did not fear any opponent ever.
Speaking about whom he feared during his playing career, Simeone said, “There was no player or team in particular. In fact, I feared myself the most because I knew that if I wasn’t mentally prepared to give 100 per cent in every game then I wasn’t the same player.“
Atletico Madrid’s Lucky Charm:
Simeone has proved to be a lucky charm of sorts for Atletico Madrid, both as a player and as a manager.
When Simeone joined Atletico Madrid in 1994, their last league title triumph had come in 1976-77 season. The Rojiblancos won the La Liga title in 1995-96 – Simeone’s second season as an Atletico player.
They also won the Copa del Rey in the same season to mark a historic double. Simeone left Atletico in 1997 after making 98 appearances but returned for a second stint from 2003-05, which did not yield any silverware.
And as if Atleti’s domestic triumphs were circled around the Argentine, their next league title came in 2013-14 with him as manager.
Diego Simeone National Team Career:
Simeone played in 11 World Cup games (4 in 1994, 5 in 1998 and 2 in 2002) but never managed to score.
Diego Simeone Club Career:
Starting off, Diego began in the youth systems of Velez Sarsfield, with which he made his professional debut in 1987. He played 82 games with the team, scoring 15 goals.
In 1989 he made the move to Pisa Calcio in the Serie A, where he played three seasons. In 1992, he began a two-year stint with Sevilla.