Koke has become the player with the most appearances in Atletico Madrid’s history. The midfielder has surpassed Adelardo Rodriguez, who held the record previously with 553 appearances.
Over the years, he has established himself as a dead certain presence in the middle of the park. His primary role is to ensure that the team maintains their shape, and that there is cover defensively – which is key to how Diego Simeone sets out his team.
Koke becomes most-capped player of all-time for Atletico Madrid
The club captain is the only player in the squad to have been around longer than Diego Simeone. He came through the club academy, having joined them at the age of six, and has now become a legend with an important record of his own.
His remarkable fitness record has allowed him to play over 40 games almost every single season. And despite being very underrated among the midfielders of his generation, the 30-year-old has won every single trophy apart from the Champions League.
With the Rojiblancos, he is a two-time La Liga, UEFA Super Cup and Europa League winner, and has also won the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup once. He took over the armband from Diego Godin, who left in 2019, and will take his appearance tally well beyond the current record, with two years left on his deal.
