Giovanni Simeone

Giovanni Pablo Simeone Baldini (Spanish pronunciation: [ɟʝoˈβani simeˈone]; Italian: [dʒoˈvanni simeˈoːne];[2][3] born 5 July 1995), also known as El Cholito ([el tʃoˈlito]), is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Cagliari, on loan from Fiorentina, and the Argentina national team. He is the eldest among three sons of former footballer and current Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone.

This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Simeone and the second or maternal family name is Baldini.
Giovanni Simeone
Personal information
Full name Giovanni Simeone Baldini
Date of birth (1995-07-05) 5 July 1995
Place of birth Madrid, Spain
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Playing position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Cagliari (on loan from Fiorentina)
Number 99
Youth career
0000–2008 Rayo Majadahonda
2008–2013 River Plate
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 River Plate 27 (2)
2015–2016 → Banfield (loan) 34 (12)
2016–2017 Genoa 35 (12)
2017– Fiorentina 74 (20)
2019– → Cagliari (loan) 37 (12)
National team‡
2015 Argentina U20 12 (10)
2016 Argentina U23 3 (0)
2018– Argentina 5 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:37, 10 August 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 20 November 2018

Early life

The son of former Argentine international footballer Diego Simeone and Carolina Baldini, Giovanni Simeone was born in Madrid[4][5][6][7] while his father was playing for Atlético Madrid.[8] His family moved to Italy in 1997, but later returned to Spain in 2003 following his father's career club changes. Two years later he moved to Argentina, and joined River Plate's youth setup in 2008 when his father was appointed coach of the first team. He has two younger brothers, Gianluca and Giuliano. He holds both Argentine and Spanish nationality, but represents Argentina internationally.[9]

Club career

River Plate

After progressing through the youth ranks, Simeone signed a three-year professional deal with the club in November 2011.[10] In July 2013 he was called up by the main squad for the pre-season,[11] Simeone made his league debut on 4 August 2013, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–1 away loss against Gimnasia La Plata.[12] Later that month he renewed his contract, signing until 2016.[13] Simeone scored his first professional goal on 8 September, netting the second of a 3–0 home win against Tigre.[14]

Loan to Banfield

On 6 July 2015, Simeone joined fellow Argentine Primera División side Banfield on a season-long loan deal.[15] On 12 July 2015, he scored the match-winning goal on his debut in a 1–0 victory against Quilmes.[16]

Genoa

On 18 August 2016, Simeone signed for Italian club Genoa for €3 million.[17][18] He scored his first goal, on his first start for the club in a 1–1 draw with Pescara on 25 September 2016.[19] On 27 November, Simeone netted a brace in Genoa 3–1 win over Serie A leaders, Juventus.[20]

Fiorentina

Among speculation of Atlético Madrid's interest in signing the young player to be coached by his father Diego Simeone, Giovanni signed with Serie A club Fiorentina on August 16, 2017 for an undisclosed fee. On April 29, 2018, Simeone completed his first hat-trick in Serie A in Fiorentina's 3–0 win against Napoli.[21]

Cagliari

On 30 August 2019, Simeone joined Cagliari Calcio on a year-long loan deal from Fiorentina, which includes an obligatory purchase clause at the end of the period.[22]

International career

Capped for Argentina at under-20 level, Simeone finished as top scorer at the 2015 South American Youth Football Championship, helping Argentina win its fifth title in the competition.[23]

On 8 September 2018, Simeone scored on his senior international debut, in a 3–0 friendly win over Guatemala in Los Angeles.[24] He was part of a team that won the friendly Adidas Cup against Mexico in November 2018[25][26]

Style of play

Simeone is an elegant yet powerful and opportunistic forward with an eye for goal, who is capable of playing anywhere along the front line; although he has been deployed as a second striker, he has also been used in a central role as a main striker, and is a competent and efficient finisher with both feet, despite being naturally right footed. A tenacious and energetic player, he is known for his work-rate and defensive contribution off the ball, and often drops into midfield in order to help his team win back possession. He is also known for his speed and intelligent attacking movement, which enables him to create space and provide depth for his team. Regarded as a promising young player, he also possesses good technical skills, as well as flair and finesse on the ball, and is capable of linking-up with his teammates and bringing other forwards into play.[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 1 August 2020[35]
Club Season League Cup International Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
River Plate 2013–14 Primera División 172200000192
2014 70004200112
2015 3000000030
Total 272204200334
Banfield (loan) 2015 Primera División 18710—00197
2016 1651000—175
Total 34122000003612
Genoa 2016–17 Serie A 351211——3613
2017–18 0011——11
Total 35122200003714
Fiorentina 2017–18 Serie A 381420——4014
2018–19 36642——408
Total 74206200008022
Cagliari (loan) 2019–20 Serie A 371200——3712
Career total 20758124420022364

International
As of 20 November 2018[35]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Argentina 201851
Total51

International goals
Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first.[36]
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.7 September 2018Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United States Guatemala3–03–0Friendly

Honours

Club
River Plate

International
Argentina

Individual

Performances
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References
  1. https://www.cagliaricalcio.com/team/prima-squadra/152/giovanni-simeone
  2. Luciano Canepari. "Giovanni". DiPI Online (in Italian). Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  3. Luciano Canepari. "Simeone". DiPI Online (in Italian). Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  4. La vida de Simeone: "70% fútbol, 30% familia", diario El Mundo, 19 de octubre de 2006.
  5. Gio Simeone: «Si eligiese, me gustaría jugar en el Atlético», diario ABC, 12 de noviembre de 2014.
  6. Giovanni nació en Madrid hace 21 años, diario El Mundo, 22 de febrero de 2017.
  7. Tres futbolistas y un biberón... ¿Conoces a los hijos de Simeone?, revista ¡Hola!, 30 de septiembre de 2016.
  8. "Celeste Godoy, la musa de Giovanni Simeone" [Celeste Godoy, the muse of Giovanni Simeone]. Goal.com (in Spanish). May 15, 2014. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  9. "Simeone tiene pasaporte comunitario" [Simeone has the EU passport] (in Spanish). La Página Millonaria. January 1, 2014. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  10. "Filho de Simeone assina contrato com o River Plate" [Simeone's son signs contract with River Plate] (in Portuguese). Diário Lance!. November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  11. "El "bautismo" para los pibes" [The "baptism" for the kids] (in Spanish). La Página Millonaria. July 16, 2013. Archived from the original on July 19, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  12. "Gimnasia derrotó por 1–0 a River, en el Bosque" [Gimnasia defeated River by 1–0 in Bosque] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. August 4, 2013. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  13. "Giovanni Simeone firmó y renovó contrato en River por tres años" [Giovanni Simeone signed and renewed contract with River for three years] (in Spanish). Infobae. August 27, 2013. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  14. "River se despertó en el 2º tiempo y venció a Tigre" [River woke up in the 2nd half and defeated Tigre] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. September 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  15. "Transfert : Giovanni Simeone (River Plate) prêté à Banfield" [Transfer: Giovanni Simeone (River Plate) was loaned to Banfield]. L'Equipe (in French). July 6, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  16. "Banfield festejó por Giovanni Simeone" [Banfield celebrated by Giovanni Simeone]. Argentine Football Association. July 12, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  17. http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2016/11/28/29962552/like-father-like-son-giovanni-simeone-shoots-down-juventus
  18. "Simeone ufficiale, venerdi' conferenza" [Simeone official conference on Friday] (in Italian). Genoa C.F.C. August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  19. "Genoa 1-1 Pescara". BBC Sport. BBC. September 25, 2016.
  20. "Serie A leaders Juventus blown away by Genoa in half an hour". Reuters. November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  21. "Fiorentina-Napoli 3-0. Simeone tripletta, la Juve a +4" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  22. "Simeone è del Cagliari!" (in Italian). Cagliari Calcio. August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  23. "Giovanni Simeone is champion and top scorer". CONMEBOL. February 8, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  24. "Giovanni Simeone scores on Argentina debut against Guatemala". Sky Sports. September 8, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  25. https://www.everyfutbol.co/2018/11/argentina-derrota-a-mexico-y-se-queda-con-la-copa-adidas-2018.html/amp
  26. https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/11/17/world/friendlies/argentina/mexico/2927963/
  27. "Juric: 'Three points are key'". Football Italia. February 5, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  28. Blair Newman; Luca Hodges-Ramon; Richard Hall; Franco Ficetola; Mark Neale; Emmet Gates (January 24, 2017). "The 50 best young footballers in Italy". The Guardian. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  29. "Simeone jr come il Cholo: che trionfo con il River" (in Italian). Il Corriere dello Sport. May 19, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  30. Tim Vickery (February 6, 2015). "Are Gio Simeone's U-20 heroics a false dawn or is Diego's son the real deal?". ESPN FC. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  31. Alberto Casella (September 28, 2016). ""Sono Gio e non mi manda papà". Simeone jr: tecnica, gol e tanta "garra"" (in Italian). Fox Sports. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  32. Adam Digby (December 9, 2016). "Meet Giovanni Simeone: Genoa's Juventus-slaying striker who wants to join his dad at Atletico Madrid". FourFourTwo. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  33. "In rampa di lancio: attaccanti" (in Italian). UEFA.com. January 4, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  34. Mario Cipriano (May 19, 2015). "Giovanni Simeone: l'erede del "Cholo" è pronto a decollare" (in Italian). Tutto Calciatori. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  35. Giovanni Simeone at Soccerway
  36. "Giovanni Simeone". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman.
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