Few stories in footballing history match the passion, desire, eventfulness and inspiration like that of Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, who has led his team into a second UEFA Champions League Final in three years. Atletico Madrid, who beat Bayern Munich on the away goals rule in the semi-finals, now face city rivals Real Madrid in the final at San Siro, Milan, on May 28, 2016. Ever since taking over at Atleti in 2011, Simeone has continuously defied odds to achieve the near-impossible task of breaking the Real Madrid-Barcelona duopoly.
The Argentinian’s style is directly in contrast with the possession blueprint followed by many clubs around the world, showing that you do not need to keep the ball to get results. His career and life have been full of events and controversies, which could well combine to form the script for a Hollywood blockbuster. Here are a few facts about Diego Simeone that are not so well known:
1) What's in a “nickname”?
“Cholo,” Simeone's nickname, was given to him to by one of his primary school teacher named Oscar Nesi. Simeone was known for his aggression and combativeness on the field as a player. Physically intimidating and a hard tackler, Simeone was at the heart of the Atletico Madrid’s midfield during the La Liga winning season in 1995-96.
The Argentinian spoke about his nickname in a question-answer session with FIFA.com and said, “There used to be a Simeone at Boca Juniors who they called Cholo but that's not how I got my nickname.
It happened when one of my primary school teachers Oscar Nesi called me it and it just stuck.”
2) If not for football, Simeone would have studied Physical Education
Things do not always work out for people and one must always have a backup in all walks of life, including and especially their careers. What would Simeone have done if he would not have played football? He would have studied Physical Education.
Talking about an alternate career choice, the Argentinian once claimed, “In secondary school they once asked us what we wanted to be. Someone said a lawyer, one said an accountant and another said a doctor.
When I said ‘footballer’, everybody burst out laughing. If football hadn’t worked out I planned to study Physical Education.” It always has to be physical for Simeone. Doesn’t it?
3) He feared no one but himself
Fearful would probably be one of the last words that could be used to describe Diego Simeone. Never too far from a confrontation, Simeone was always like a raging bull on the field and in his own words, did not fear any opponent ever.
Speaking about whom he feared during his playing career, Simeone said, “There was no player or team in particular. In fact, I feared myself the most because I knew that if I wasn't mentally prepared to give 100 per cent in every game then I wasn't the same player.“
4) Atletico Madrid’s lucky charm
Simeone has proved to be a lucky charm of sorts for Atletico Madrid, both as a player and as a manager. When Simeone joined Atletico Madrid in 1994, their last league title triumph had come in the 1976-77. The Rojiblancos won the La Liga title in 1995-96 – Simeone’s second season as an Atletico player. They also won the Copa del Rey in the same season to mark a historic double.
Simeone left Atletico in 1997 after making 98 appearances, but returned for a second stint from 2003-05, which did not yield any silverware.
And as if Atleti’s domestic triumphs were circled around the Argentine, their next league title came in 2013-14 with him as manager.
5) He thinks Mascherano is better than him
Simeone is not one of those people who will mince their words and he calls it like he sees it. His candor is almost infectious and the Argentinian does not mind admitting if he thinks someone is better than him.
He was once asked whether he would pick himself or fellow countryman Javier Mascherano in Argentina’s playing XI. Without batting an eyelid, Simeone replied, “Mascherano, because he’s better!”
“Listen, I wasn't a No. 5 like him, I was more of a box-to-box player. Actually, if it was my team then I'd play every game, with either Mascherano or Veron alongside me depending on the match.“
