One of the arguments that some of the ‘haters’ of Diego Pablo Simeone is that the players under his baton do not improve their performance. An argument that they can maintain until they are spoken to or remember the metamorphosis they have undergone Marcos Llorente at Atlético de Madrid. His jump has been so abysmal that he made his debut with the Spanish National Team last Wednesday.
A premiere that came in the 72nd minute of the game when he came out in place of the author of the only goal of the game, Sergio Canales. In this way, the Madrid midfielder has become the eighth footballer to make his debut with the 'Red', under the command of Simeone, the other seven are:
Juanfran Torres placeholder image
The Alicante side also took a leap in his career after the arrival of Cholo Simeone on Atlético's bench. Gregorio Manzano reconverted him to the side and the Argentine gave him continuity in that position. A demarcation in which he managed to make a regular place in the Spanish National Team, he debuted in May 2012, up to 22 games came to play and can boast of having a European Championship in his record.
Koke
The Atlético de Madrid captain has grown up under the command of the Argentine coach. When he arrived they were looking for a loan to him in the winter market, but a conversation between them caused him to leave the suitcases in the closet. In August 2013 he made his debut for Spain and since then has played 45 games. Participating in two World Cups and one European Championship. Last Wednesday he made his debut as captain.
Saúl Ñíguez
It could be said that the player has grown as a footballer and as a person under the command of Cholo Simeone. He made him debut in his day and after returning from a loan at Rayo Vallecano, his participation in the team grew to the point that they closed the doors on leaving Valencia. At that moment he was a substitute but a few months later he had become “untouchable.” In September 2016 he made his debut with Spain, he has played 19 games and scored three goals, and he went to the World Cup in Russia in 2018 although he did not play any minute.
Diego Costa
Lagarto's exploded under Simeone's command. In 2013-14 Atleti won the League and the forward came to dispute the ‘top scorer’ against Cristiano and Messi, big words. That made two countries like Spain and Brazil fight over their presence. In the end the 'Red' took the cat into the water. He made his debut in March 2014 against Italy. He has played 24 games, has scored ten goals and has participated in two World Cups.
Raul Garcia
Without a doubt, Simeone knew how to find the best way to exploit Raúl García's football. A hard-working player who scored real goals under his tutelage. This ended up causing the Selection to knock on his door. In September 2014 he made his debut against France, he would only play one more game.
Adrian Lopez
It certainly made for a 2011-12 season to frame. Simeone managed to highlight all the virtues of a footballer who formed a fearsome couple next to Falcao. They ended up winning a Europa League and that is why the National Team award came to him. He made his debut on May 26, 2012 against Serbia, in the preselection of players to go to the Eurocup but finally he was left out. He only played two games.
Mario Suarez
A special case is that of the Alcobendas player. Despite the fact that Tiago was ahead of him in the Cholo elections. The youth squad showed his best version under his tenure, for that reason in February 2013 he debuted in an official match against Uruguay. Although he did not have much continuity because he only played two more games. The other two also in the stage in which he defended the shield of the bear and the strawberry tree.
And the surprising case of …
There is also the case of a player who excelled at the orders of Simeone but he did not finish going to the Spanish National Team. In the case of Gabi, his great performances at Atlético de Madrid were never enough for a coach to take him into account. Undoubtedly a surprising fact … but as every Spanish has a coach inside ….