SSC Napoli surprised everyone with a thumping 4-1 win over Liverpool on Tuesday night. Giovanni Simeone, on the other hand, was firmly expecting his goal
It’s been half his life, after all, Giovanni Simeone, who has most recently played for Florence, Cagliari and Verona, is now 27. Currently the eldest offspring of Atletico coach Diego Simeone is on loan from Cagliari to Napoli, where he played his first Champions League game with SSC on Tuesday night.
While the River Plate-trained attacker’s career path has sometimes felt like a rollercoaster ride into the unknown in recent years, Napoli’s surprisingly emphatic 4-1 victory over Champions League finalists Liverpool saw the Argentine reach his destination.
“I was such a big fan of the Champions League that I got a tattoo of their logo – when I was 13,” Giovanni 2021 revealed in an interview with the Guardian. He also revealed that his dad was not at all thrilled about it. His mum at least asked him why he wanted to do it at all. “Because on the day I play in the Champions League and score my first goal, I’m going to kiss this tattoo,” the teenager had explained at the time. Big words.
A special evening also for father Diego
And the seasoned man – 14 years later – followed up with action. Simeone had not been in the starting eleven for the opener against the Reds, but was substituted for the stricken Victor Osimhen before the break. Just three minutes later, it was time. Teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia outwitted two Liverpool defenders and crossed for Simeone to slot home in the centre.
Kept his word – and kept his word. Giovanni could not hide his tears as he kissed the tattoo. And now his father Diego, who won spectacularly against FC Porto with Atletico, could also rejoice. A successful evening for the Simeone family
