Giuliano Simeone is one of several FIFA World Cup™ newcomers to have been named alongside the core group of stars who powered to glory at Qatar 2022.
His inclusion in the squad for the represents a victory in a race against time, which began in August 2023 when he suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle during pre-season with Alaves in Spain.
That injury setback came over a year prior to his senior national-team debut and marked the start of a journey that could culminate in a first World Cup outing for the 23-year-old when the defending champions lock horns with Algeria in their on 16 June.
The Atletico Madrid wide man – – sat down with FIFA for an exclusive interview ahead of the finals in North America.
Giuliano Simeone: To be honest, I haven’t had time to sit myself down and think about everything that’s happened over the years. From the end of the [2023/24] season [on loan] with Alaves until now, it’s all just gone so fast and I’ve hardly been able to process it. It’s such an amazing feeling, playing for the team that I love, being able to make my contribution, and for that to lead to me representing my country is incredible! It all stems from working hard day in, day out, but I can’t take my foot off the pedal because there are thousands of players who'd give anything to be in my shoes.
I don’t recall anything specifically like that, but I grew up in a family that lives and breathes football. My grandfather absolutely loved it and my dad's passion for the game is clear for all to see, so his children were always going to be cut from the same cloth. We’re all football-mad, too. And [my nephews] Tullio and Faustino will certainly turn out the same way. Football is a way of life in our family.
I think my earliest World Cup memory is from South Africa in 2010. I remember being at school and all our lessons would grind to a halt when the matches were on. We’d either stay there to watch or go home to be with our families. I’d stick around to take it all in with my friends. It’s a shame we didn’t go further with such a strong team. We had Diego [Maradona] as coach and Leo [Messi] wearing the No10 for the first time at the World Cup. That’s my earliest memory.
What a moment! It’s something I’ll never forget. I made my debut for my country surrounded by the world champions. I've always been lucky to be treated so well by my team-mates and the coaching staff, which boosts my confidence when I play, but I was still overcome with emotions when the moment came. I feel the same way every time I pull on the Argentina shirt and every minute counts. If you take your eye off the ball, someone else will claim your place. I can't afford to switch off.
That’s certainly one of my fondest memories. My first Argentina goal sealed a famous win against Brazil as part of a sensational team performance and with my family in the stands at the Estadio Monumental... I get goosebumps even now just thinking about it.
I can’t put it into words. I haven’t experienced it yet, but going to the World Cup is the pinnacle of any player’s career and I know how special it’ll be. I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life. I just hope I can help the team go as far as possible. I’ve worked hard for this moment for years, so I hope I’m ready and that I don’t let down an entire country that would do anything for us. Giving our absolute all is the least we can do.
Ever since I was old enough to understand what it meant. When I suffered a serious injury at Alaves, the first thought that went through my head after the initial shock had passed was about reaching the World Cup and remember, I hadn't even represented Argentina at youth level. I set myself that target. I improved every day with each training session, gave it everything I had and the hard work paid off. I made the Under-23 squad ahead of the Olympics, then played at the Olympics themselves and then got my senior national-team call-up.
There are no favourites at the World Cup. It only comes around every four years and you have to work ever so hard to get there. You need to be in peak form and fitness, too. All of us who are heading to Canada, Mexico and the United States will give it our best shot. I don't like speaking about favourites in sport. A match can slip away in the blink of an eye, along with four years of hard work. We'll just take it game by game and do everything in our power to retain the trophy that my team-mates strived to win.
Scaloni and his coaching staff are fantastic. From the outset, he’s been so good to me and encouraged me to be myself in the group, both as a player and as a person. He has a knack for recognizing when it’s the right time for a player. I’m eternally grateful to him for the opportunities he’s given me and I hope to fully repay his faith. The coaching staff's human qualities and football knowledge are key factors behind the team's success.
It's just a dream. What else is there to say about the best player of all time? It’s incredible to see him play and to train with him. He's a true leader who always makes time for younger players breaking into the senior team to say something kind or offer some advice. He's remarkable on and off the pitch.
It’s not really for me to say. What I do know is I work so hard every day to get better and polish areas of my game where I need to improve. There's no room for negotiation when it comes to putting the hard yards in. You just have to give it your all. I've got into the habit of watching my matches back and analyzing what I've done well and where I can improve.
Sources: FIFA Official
