Carmelo Simeone

Lore & Background

Simeone started his playing career in 1955 with Vélez Sársfield. In 1961 he joined Boca Juniors where he was an important defensive player in the teams that won the Argentine Primera in 1962, 1964 and 1965. He left Boca in 1967 and spent some time playing for Sportivo Belgrano in the lower leagues of Argentine football.

In Their Own Story

The air inside La Bombonera was thick with tension, the roar of the '12th man' vibrating through the concrete stands. On the pitch, the River Plate striker prepared for a free kick that could seal the match. Suddenly, Carmelo Simeone stepped forward, his eyes locked on the ball, his posture radiating pure defiance. He didn't just mark the player; he dominated the space around him, shouting orders to his defensive line with a voice that cut through the noise of the stadium. As the whistle blew and the ball was struck, Simeone leaped, a blue and gold blur against the sky, clearing the danger with a thunderous header. The crowd erupted, not just for the save, but for the sheer will of their captain who refused to yield an inch.

Reader's Guide

Simeone represented Argentina in their victorious Copa América campaign in 1959, and at the 1966 FIFA World Cup; in total he made 22 appearances for the national side between 1959 and 1966.

Did You Know?

• He won three league titles with Boca Juniors: 1962, 1964, and 1965.
• He was part of Argentina's Copa América-winning squad in 1959.
• He played for Vélez Sársfield before joining Boca Juniors.