Diego Simeone has tied one of the most significant records in Spanish soccer history, achieving this with the club he has managed for almost 15 years. Atlético Madrid’s 2-0 win against Levante on Saturday marked Simeone’s 344th La Liga victory, placing him on par with the legendary former manager Luis Aragonés. Remarkably, Simeone reached this milestone after playing 191 fewer matches.
Simeone Matches an Atlético Legend
Aragonés, fondly referred to as “El Sabio de Hortaleza,” is a pivotal figure in Atlético Madrid’s legacy. He amassed 344 La Liga wins over 757 matches with eight different clubs. In contrast, Simeone has achieved this total in just 565 league games, with each victory occurring during his tenure at Atlético.
This milestone adds to a managerial career that began at the club in December 2011. Simeone has already surpassed Aragonés in terms of all-competition wins, securing 479 victories in 813 official matches compared to Aragonés’ 308 in 612. Additionally, Simeone has claimed eight trophies with Atlético, two more than his predecessor. However, matching Aragonés in La Liga victories places Simeone in the historical context of the competition beyond just Atlético.
Seven Straight Wins Keep Atlético in the Title Race
The record coincided with another strong performance from Atlético. Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo in the 36th minute and Giuliano Simeone in the 62nd ensured a 2-0 victory at Levante, extending their La Liga winning streak to seven matches. Giuliano, the manager’s son, capped a move initiated by Álex Baena to seal the scoreline.
The win temporarily propelled Atlético above Barcelona into first place; however, Barcelona later responded with a 6-1 victory over Alavés. After the weekend’s matches, Barcelona finished two points ahead of Simeone’s side, who remain firmly in the title race following a series of strong performances. Atlético has achieved nine league wins out of 11 matches, including five away wins, an area that has posed challenges in previous seasons.
Simeone Gives Credit to Players and Staff
Typical of his character, Simeone downplayed the significance of the achievement for himself. Post-match, he expressed that the record should be shared with the players who assisted him in reaching it. “I feel it very little as my own. I feel it belongs to everyone,” he stated.
Simeone also acknowledged those who provided him the opportunity to coach, including Atlético’s chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and club president Enrique Cerezo. He thanked the players and coaching staff who have been part of his journey while indicating that his focus is already shifting to upcoming challenges.
This perspective embodies the essence of the milestone. Simeone has established an era of notable consistency at Atlético, winning titles and competing with Barcelona and Real Madrid without the frequent managerial changes typical of modern soccer. He stands level with Aragonés in La Liga wins, with a record-breaking victory just within reach.
