Diego Simeone’s 180-Unit Madrid Real Estate Empire Amid Spain’s Housing Crisis

Diego Simeone, the long-serving manager of Atlético Madrid, and his wife, Carla Pereyra, have built a significant real estate portfolio in Spain that includes approximately 180 apartments and seven buildings. The couple’s business holdings, managed through the company Carpersim SL, have drawn increased public scrutiny amid a national debate over housing affordability in the Spanish capital.

Assets and Business Operations in Madrid

The real estate venture, which primarily focuses on the high-demand neighborhoods of Salamanca and Chamberí, reached an estimated asset value of 39.7 million euros in 2024, according to the Spanish program Equipo de investigación. Carla Pereyra, 39, is credited as the primary driver behind the firm’s development, utilizing her family background in architecture to manage the acquisition and rental of properties. In 2024, the couple expanded their business footprint by establishing a second entity, Tres Cantos 1415, which acquired nearly a hectare of land in northern Madrid for the construction of new residential projects, including student housing. Beyond management, the company operates its own agency to market properties and evaluate new development opportunities.

Public Scrutiny Amid the Housing Crisis

The scale of the couple’s property management has become a point of contention during a period of widespread social unrest regarding the cost of living in Spain. The case of Abascal has served as a focal point for housing activists, with data from the real estate portal Fotocasa indicating that rental prices in Madrid have reached 22.40 euros per square meter monthly. Maricarmen, an 87-year-old woman with reduced mobility, was evicted on September 23 from the apartment where she had lived for 70 years. Her death, which medical professionals linked to the stress of the eviction, has intensified the national debate over housing policies and increased pressure on the government of Pedro Sánchez, which faces heavy criticism from the PP and VOX parties.

Maestre stated: no puede estar protegido de la misma manera el derecho de que alguien haga negocio con 180 viviendas como Simeone, a que una persona tenga una vivienda para vivir. While the couple has faced criticism—and reports suggest Simeone is frustrated by the public attention—they continue to maintain their professional life in Europe. However, Simeone has previously stated that he intends to return to Argentina once his coaching career concludes, noting: Si me preguntasen dónde voy a vivir cuando deje de entrenar, lógicamente respondería en la Argentina. ¿Dónde si no? Es mi país.

Professional and Personal Context

His annual salary, estimated between 26 and 29 million euros, consistently ranks him among the highest-paid football managers globally. The couple, who met in 2013 and married in 2019 in Buenos Aires, have two daughters, Francesca and Valentina. Simeone is also the father of Giovanni, Gianluca, and Giuliano from his marriage to Carolina Baldini. He has frequently emphasized the importance of stability, telling Vanity Fair in 2024: Hemos tenido la fortuna de haber contado con un trabajo estable dentro de algo tan inestable como es el fútbol.

Questions Regarding the Portfolio

What is the primary function of the company Carpersim SL?
The company is dedicated to the purchase, sale, and management of real estate properties, specifically focusing on residential units in central Madrid districts like Salamanca and Chamberí.

Why has the portfolio become a subject of public debate?
The focus on the couple’s 180 properties coincides with a broader Spanish political and social crisis over high rent prices and the displacement of long-term tenants, where housing in cities like Madrid or Barcelona can cost 700 euros (800 dollars) per month for a shared room.

What is the next major event regarding Spanish housing policy?
A nationwide general strike concerning access to housing is scheduled for November 11, with support from labor unions including CC OO, UGT, CGT, CO.BAS, and Solidaridad Obrera, as well as regional organizations like the Galician CIG and the Basque ELA and LAB.