Koke has worn the Atlético Madrid jersey since he was 14 years old and has been playing for the professionals since January 1, 2011. The midfielder has already won a lot, but he is still missing the crowning glory in the Champions League.
For a 70-time Spanish international whose market value has already been estimated at 70 million euros by the relevant portals, Jorge Resurrección Merodio, Koke’s real name, achieved a very unusual transfer fee in his career: zero euros. That’s because he’s worn the same jersey since he was a teenager and is one of the few world-class players who have always remained loyal to their clubs – and vice versa.
On the ball for Atlético for the 800th time
The 34-year-old has played 733 times in competitive games for the “Rojiblancos”, plus 66 times for the “Madrilenos” in the U23. If you count these games, Koke will play against him on Wednesday evening (9 p.m., live ticker at sportschau.de). Arsenal FC for the 800th time for Atlético. He has reached the Champions League semi-finals for the third time in his great career, but he has not yet been granted the title.
Koke has celebrated eight other titles in his career despite the dominance of the two world clubs Real and FC Barcelona. Atlético was Spanish champion twice with him, Diego Simeone’s team won the Europa League twice, the European Super Cup twice, and victories in the Spanish Cup and the Spanish Super Cup once each.
Koke (r.) with the trophy after the Europa League victory in 2018
Never scored for Spain
Koke was always a player who, when in doubt, preferred to let others shine. Julian Alvárez, Antoine Griezmann, previously Joao Felix and Atlético legend Fernando Torres – they all benefited from his discipline, his hard work, his toughness in duels and his outstanding overview.
He was never a goal machine, but Koke managed 50 goals and 122 assists in his 15 years in the professional team. He usually played centrally, but also occasionally played in both half positions. On offense, in the two winger positions, he only helped out a total of 20 times. In the Spanish national team, his role was even more clearly defined as “Holding Six” – he never scored in 70 international matches.
Highly appreciated by Simeone
After the 2022 World Cup, when Spain lost to Morocco in the round of 16, Koke’s career in the national team ended. But he still has a high status at Atlético, as Simeone repeatedly emphasizes.
Before his 700th competitive game in November 2025, the Argentine, who has accompanied his extended arm for almost the entire career, enthused: “Koke is exceptional, not only as a footballer, but also as a person with a very big heart. I am happy and proud to have worked with him for so long, his loyalty, work ethic and dedication to this club are unique.”
Captain against Barca
However, Simeone does not want his words to be understood as a retrospective eulogy on a magnificent career. The coach emphasizes: “It’s clear that Koke will leave a huge legacy at Atlético. But at the moment he still gives the team a lot of inspiration, he is still incredibly important for all of us.”
In the 14 Champions League games this season, Koke was in the starting line-up nine times and came off the bench five times. In the fiercely contested quarter-finals against Barca, he captained the team in the two-legged tie – and that will probably also be the case against Arsenal FC.
