Diego Pablo Simeone González was born in 1970 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is widely known by his nickname "El Cholo," a moniker given to him at the age of 14 by youth coach Victorio Spinetto. Spinetto noted Simeone’s tenacity and energy, which reminded him of former Boca Juniors player and Argentine international Carmelo Simeone—despite the two not being related.
Simeone began his professional playing career in 1987 with Vélez Sarsfield in the Argentine Primera División. In 1990, he moved to Italian Serie A side Pisa. Although the club was relegated during his first season, he remained for another year before transferring to Sevilla in Spain’s La Liga. After two seasons at Sevilla, Simeone joined Atlético Madrid, where he was a key figure in the squad that won a domestic double—La Liga and Copa del Rey—during the 1995–1996 season.
Later in his playing career, Simeone returned to Italy where he featured prominently for Inter Milan and Lazio. With Lazio, he won the 1998 UEFA Cup, the 1999–2000 Serie A title, the 1999 UEFA Super Cup, and the 2000 Supercoppa Italiana. He concluded his club career with a stint at Racing Club in Argentina.
Representing Argentina, Simeone earned 106 caps with the senior national team between 1988 and 2002. He played in three FIFA World Cups (1994, 1998, and 2002) and four editions of Copa América, winning the tournament in 1991 and 1993. Additionally, he was part of the Argentine squad that won the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup and secured a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Earlier in his international career, Simeone also represented Argentina’s U-23 team at the 1992 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament held in Paraguay, though the team failed to qualify for the Barcelona Olympics.
Following his retirement as a player, Simeone transitioned into football management. In 2011, he took charge of Atlético Madrid, becoming one of the most respected coaches in European club football. His tactical discipline and defensive solidity revitalized the team, leading them to multiple domestic and continental successes, including a La Liga title in 2013–2014 and reaching two UEFA Champions League finals. Under Simeone's leadership, Atlético Madrid defeated renowned clubs such as Bayern Munich, showcasing his strategic capabilities as a manager in La Liga.
| Birth Date: | 28 Apr, 1970 |
| Age: | 50 yrs |
| Occupations: | Association football player Association football manager |
| Citizenship: | Argentina |
| Birth Place: | Buenos Aires |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | Argentine association football player and manager |
| Net Worth 2021: | 130 million |
