Is Giuliano Simeone related to Diego Simeone?

Diego Simeone gives instructions to son Giuliano during Atletico Madrid's game against Real Valladolid in November 2024.
Giuliano Simeone and Diego Simeone (Image credit: Getty Images)

England don't have the best World Cup history with the Simeone name, so the inclusion of Giuliano Simeone in Lionel Scaloni's starting line-up for today's World Cup semi-final might have sent shivers down some spines.

At World Cup 1998, Diego Simeone played for Argentina in the second round match against England in Saint-Etienne. England were beaten on penalties with one of the best teams they'd assembled for years.

The turning point in the eyes of many supporters was the infamous sending-off of England midfielder David Beckham, who was dismissed for kicking out at Simeone four years before scoring the winner against Argentina in the group stage of the next World Cup.

English midfielder David Beckham (R) and Argentinan captain Diego Simeone (L) react after foul play by Beckham during the 1998 Soccer World Cup second round match between Argentina and England, 30 June at Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, central France. Beckham was sent off the pitch after getting a red card by Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read GERARD CERLES/AFP via Getty Images)

David Beckham was sent off after clashing with Diego Simeone (Image credit: Getty Images)

Beckham was pilloried for many months after his red card, which most commentators assessed as a mistake from the young midfielder but also the result of streetwise play by the Argentina legend.

That determined cynicism survived into Simeone's managerial career. The 56-year-old had spells in charge of several clubs in Argentina and a short stint as the head coach of Italian side Catania, and has been in charge of Atletico Madrid since 2011 with a great degree of success.

Giuliano Simeone (Argentina) during Quarter final FIFA World Cup 2026, Argentina and Switzerland, Kansas Stadium, Kansas, USA on July 11 2026. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Giuliano starts against England (Image credit: Getty Images)

Argentina winger Giuliano Simeone 's only previous football at the World Cup came in the form of 71 minutes in the meaningless last group stage match against Jordan but is in the starting line-up in Atlanta.

The 23-year-old will be expected to combine with Lionel Messi and also to do some of the physical graft his veteran captain will not, but the most paranoid of England fans might consider his selection a subtle act of psychological warfare.

Giuliano plays for Diego at Atleti, and while we're sure he doesn't call him 'Papa' in the dressing room, that's exactly what he is.

Diego has three footballing sons and Giuliano is the youngest. Giovanni, 31, plays for Napoli and previously starred for Fiorentina and Cagliari as well as River Plate, where he got his start. Gianluca is 27 and retired last year.

The youngest of the three footballing brothers is the only one not to be registered with River Plate at the senior level, coming through the youth ranks with Atletico after leaving the Buenos Aires giants.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone

Diego Simeone has been at Argentina's matches at World Cup 2026 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Giuliano has played 65 times for Atletico Madrid in La Liga, every one of them under the long-standing head coach who played a part in bringing him into the world.

As Argentina kick off against England in Georgia, their fans will be hoping for just as big an impact from Junior as they got from his father 28 years ago.

England will have other ideas.

Chris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.