The narrator has shared this story many times. Months ago they visited the Metropolitano, left the press area, and slipped into the stands with a trusted friend. During the game, in a sector filled with devoted supporters, a man over forty stood up for fifteen minutes shouting: “Simeone, you bastard…”. The narrator exchanged a glance with their companion, touched his shoulder, and said, “In here, anyone can come in.” As the tirade continued, they moved to explain that criticism of the coach, his decisions, the lineup, or his style of play is fair game, but that desecrating the mother of someone who has given so much joy and pride to the club crosses a line. The man listened, looked over at the pair, offered no reply, and returned to his seat. At the last moment he rose again, crossed toward the vomitory, descended the stairs, and shouted once more: “Simeone, son of a p….” The friend spoke with quiet gravity. “Uria, you’re right in the end. Anyone can come in here.” If Diego Pablo is guilty of anything, it is the way he has managed to ignite Atlético de Madrid fans with a handful of titles and a streak of victories, making seem-impossible feats feel possible. If Simeone is guilty of anything, it is reclaiming the club’s lost identity and pride, restoring a sense of purpose after years when Atlético was mocked as a Titanic doomed to sink, a recurring punchline in the office on Mondays. If the man in black is guilty of anything, it is building a team from the ground up when it appeared ragged and discouraged, turning it into a strong unit whose secret was the will to fight like a smaller club. If Simeone is guilty of anything, it is standing by the club through its strongest decade in history and then facing a downturn that challenged even his resolve, while those who arrive late to the scene ignore how the leaders emerge during turbulent times.
And Simeone, despite countless mistakes, is remembered as the most significant force Atlético has known in more than a century.
The expectation is to demand everything from Simeone because he consistently delivers. There is a belief that Simeone should be questioned about every decision since no one else asks questions of him. He should bear the burden when results falter because he made things work for a long period. The standard is high, and it is reasonable to expect fierce commitment from him after a decade spent pouring heart and soul into elevating Atlético while others diminished his role. He can be critiqued for a tactical shift, a transfer, a lineup choice, a mood, or even a single press conference. Even someone who admits to not knowing how to add could discuss his career with him. Simeone, since Atlético is felt by every supporter, can be booed from a place of honest grievance or from a place of steady disapproval of his style. It is neither wise nor fair to ask fans to sing his name, to demand blanket support, or to cheer a coach they do not like. What truly matters is not losing respect for the person who has given so much. First comes consistency. Second comes gratitude. Third comes the fear of being forgotten and of a memory clouded by oblivion. Simeone is not flawless, even if his record sometimes seems spotless. He is not a deity, even though the fans who stand with him feel almost reverent. Simeone does not hold sovereign power over Atlético because no single figure is indispensable. Like everyone else, he makes missteps. The fault lies in mocking the man when he communicates through the team, and not in the act of supporting him. The goal should be to avoid sneering at the supporters who chant for Simeone. External commentary that feeds a hostile narrative serves a broader media chorus and damages the bond between the club and its own people. One of Atlético’s fervent followers—part of the same loyal circle—refuses unconditional support or universal praise and does not expect automatic recognition for his achievements. What is asked of him is a basic dose of respect and decency for the man who has restored the club’s former greatness.
To insult Simeone while he is in Atlético’s family is akin to a Real Madrid player disparaging Florentino Pérez. Being Atléti and insulting Simeone is like being from Barcelona and insulting Messi. Valdano once stated that disliking Messi means you do not love football. The author of this piece believes that those who offend Simeone do not truly love Atlético.
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