Onlookers often say that it takes new arrivals at Atlético de Madrid time to settle and adapt to Diego Simeone’s style of play. However, once in a blue moon, a special talent comes along who seems to slot seamlessly into the side from day one. It’s even more uncommon for that player to come through the club’s youth ranks.
Pablo Barrios, however, has broken that mould and become one of the first names on Simeone’s team-sheet over the past two seasons. At the tender age of 22, he is now the key man in the middle of the park for the Rojiblancos.
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After suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in their opening game, Barrios stepped up to the plate and helped his side get their first win at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ against Seattle Sounders FC. He dominated the midfield, with his vision and ability to execute perfectly weighted and timed passes a joy to watch.
Not only that, but he broke the deadlock with a sumptuous strike when he latched on to a pull-back and let fly from the edge of the box, the shot cannoning in off the underside of the crossbar. Ten minutes after the break he doubled his tally to make it 3-1 by netting a well-taken half-volley which killed off any hopes of a Sounders fightback.
“I was with Pablo, and when he bagged his second of the game, I asked him when he last scored a brace. I seem to recall he told me it was back when he was in the youth set-up,” Giuliano Simeone joked to FIFA post match. “I’m thrilled for him. He’s a fantastic player who always gives his all for the team, and he thoroughly deserves it.”
Given the hard yards his side’s are tasked with running and the need to compete on all fronts year on year, Simeone hasn’t always had the luxury of putting his trust in youth, but Barrios has been the exception to that rule. After tearing it up for the youth team under Fernando Torres, he was promoted to the B team where he spent six months before a first-team call-up arrived. The Argentinian coach gave him his debut in January 2023 and Barrios hasn’t looked back since.
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In 23/24, he became indispensable, making 35 appearances despite suffering several injury setbacks. He’s hit 42 appearances this term already, and can help ensure there’s more to come if he puts in another fine display next time out against Botafogo.
“Obviously, it depends on the day and the position I’m deployed in,” Barrios said. “I had a chat with him [Simeone] this morning, and he decided he wanted me to operate in a slightly more advanced position, out on the left-hand side. That’s what he always says to me: he wants me to get into the box more and add more goals to my game, and today I managed to do that.
“I haven’t found it all that difficult, I’ve known Cholo for a long time now. It’s true that at the beginning, everything felt really quick and unfamiliar to me, not just what he was asking of me, but also the pace and getting used to the rest of the team. But now I feel great, I’m really happy with the team, and I hope I can keep it up.”
The next team Barrios will no doubt look to break into is the Spanish national side, though with the likes of Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Pedri, Gavi and more for competition, it won’t be easy. If this Atléti jewel can continue the form he showed in the Emerald City, though, then he’ll have plenty more opportunities to show his worth.
