Argentina’s World Cup Starter Has a Dad Who Got Beckham Sent Off. The Irony Is Real.

Giuliano Simeone is starting for Argentina in tonight’s World Cup semifinal against England. And if that name sounds familiar, it should. His father is Diego Simeone. The same Diego Simeone who got David Beckham sent off in 1998.

Let’s rewind. England vs. Argentina at the 1998 World Cup. Beckham, then the golden boy of English soccer, kicks out at Simeone after a foul. Red card. England down to 10 men. They lose on penalties. Beckham becomes the villain of a nation. Simeone? He played his role perfectly and didn’t apologize for it.

Now, 28 years later, the son takes the field in the same rivalry. Giuliano, 23, is a winger for Atletico Madrid — where his dad is the manager. He’s only getting his second appearance of this tournament, replacing Rodrigo De Paul in the starting lineup for the semifinal in Atlanta.

The Backstory That Matters

Giuliano was born in Rome when Diego was playing for Lazio. He grew up in Argentina, then moved to Madrid in 2019 to join his father at Atletico. He’s been a rotational piece for the club and a fringe figure for the national team. But here he is, starting in a World Cup semifinal against England. The same England his dad tormented two decades ago.

Diego Simeone has been at Argentina’s matches throughout this tournament, watching from the stands. He was even photographed smiling with Beckham in Miami recently. Time heals, I guess. But the image of Beckham’s red card is forever seared into World Cup lore.

Giuliano isn’t his father. He’s a different kind of player — more technical, less combative. But the name alone carries weight. And in a rivalry this charged, that matters.

What This Means Tonight

England and Argentina haven’t met in a competitive match since 2002. This is the first knockout game between them since 1998. The ghosts of Beckham’s red card are back. Only this time, a Simeone is wearing Argentina blue instead of trying to get an Englishman sent off.

Giuliano doesn’t have to be his father. He just has to help Argentina win. If he does, the story writes itself.