Simeone son ‘dreams of Atleti’

Gianluca Simeone, the second son of Atletico Madrid Coach Diego Simeone, admits he wants to play at Vicente Calderon.

Simeone’s first son, Giovanni Simeone, is on the books at River Plate and is a Argentina youth international, while Gianluca, 17, is in the River youth system but told an interview with AS he has two targets.

“Getting to the River first team [is a dream]. I’m a big River fan. But my goal is to play at Atletico one day,” he confirmed.

“When my father was a player, I remember the Calderon singing ‘ole, ole, ole, ole, Cholo Simone.’ Each time I return and hear that song I get goose bumps. We’re all Atleti fans, very much.

“Be coached by my Dad? Hopefully. But I also think it’d be very hard! He’s very demanding, and with Professor Ortega…they’d kill me!

“Everything my Dad has achieved is very good. I don’t know him as a player. I’m told he kicked people a lot! Now I can enjoy his achievements as a Coach. He’s an example for me.

“I started out as a No 5, like my Dad, but when I saw my brother [Giovanni] as a No 9, I decided to try it and I was a striker.

“Dad was coaching River and Gio and I were already in the youth set-up. At first it was a heavy load to carry. They said ‘you only play because you’re his son.’ It wasn’t easy but you get used to it.

“It’s hard having him in Spain. At first it was very difficult, I’m not going to lie. We try to stay in contact, via Skype, and we talk a lot. What did he say after Bayern Munich? The usual, that he loves us and he’s taken a big step, but not won anything yet.”

Tags Diego Simeone Gianluca Simeone
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