Simeone’s Debut Goal Fulfills Father’s Prediction

Giovanni Simeone says his goal-scoring debut for Argentina was the realization of a path long anticipated by his famous father Diego.

The Fiorentina striker netted the final goal in a 3-0 friendly win over Guatemala in Los Angeles on Saturday as he became the second member of his family to represent the national team, Beinsports.com reported.

His debut arrived 16 years after dad Diego Simeone finished a glittering 14-year international career that included 106 national games and selection for three World Cups.

With the goal Giovanni scored, the two of them have now made history as they become the only second father-son pair to score for the Argentine National team after Ruben and Diego Galetti.

And the younger Simeone revealed his father, the Atletico Madrid manager, has touted his national team potential since the early part of his career with River Plate club in Argentina.

“As a kid when I played at River, my old man said that one day I would be here,” the 23-year-old Giovanni said.

Argentina’s performance in the absence of Lionel Messi went some way to justifying interim coach Lionel Scaloni’s investment in youth. Jorge Sampaoli’s former assistant handed out 11 debuts in his first match in charge and was pleased with what he saw.

“The most important thing was the debut of many of the guys and the goal is fulfilled. We hope they are the future,” Scaloni said.