Koke

Debut

Koke was born in Madrid. Having arrived at Atlético Madrid's youth system at the age of eight, he made his debut for the first team on 19 September 2009, playing the second half of a 5–2 away loss against FC Barcelona after coming on as a substitute for Paulo Assunção. He made three further appearances during the season.

Koke scored his first league goal against Sevilla FC on 26 February 2011, his 47th-minute header from a Diego Forlán cross making it 1–1 in an eventual 2–2 home draw. He finished his first full season as a professional with 17 games in 841 minutes and two goals (the other coming in a 2–2 draw at RCD Espanyol), as the Colchoneros finished seventh and qualified for the UEFA Europa League. Koke was again an important member of Atlético's midfield in 2011–12, under both Gregorio Manzano and his successor Diego Simeone. He scored his first league goal of the campaign on 29 April 2012, opening the 2–2 away draw against Real Betis in the 62nd minute. He appeared in 13 matches during the club's successful Europa League run, including a 90th-minute substitute appearance in a 3–0 defeat of Athletic Bilbao in the final.

Consolidation

Aged only 20, Koke started in 38 of his 48 official appearances during 2012–13 and scored three goals – this included 112 minutes in the final of the Copa del Rey, won against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. He also began to excel at passing, either through set pieces or open play. On 1 September 2013, Koke…

Youth

Koke was a member of the Spain under-20s who reached the quarter-finals at the 2011 FIFA World Cup in Colombia. He missed in the last-16 penalty shootout against South Korea, but his side advanced nonetheless. Koke was selected for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, playing all three matches in a group-stage exit. He also represented the under-21s at the 2013 UEFA European Championship, being named to the team of the tournament as the nation won the competition by beating Italy 4–2 in Jerusalem in the final.

Senior

On 14 August 2013, Koke made his senior debut, replacing Santi Cazorla for the final 12 minutes of a 2–0 friendly victory against Ecuador. His first competitive appearance for La Furia Roja came the same year on 6 September, as he started and finished a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Finland that ended with a 2–0 victory. Koke was named in Spain's 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup and was also included in the final one. On 19 June, he made his debut in the tournament after replacing Xabi Alonso at half-time as the champions lost 2–0 to Chile at the Maracanã in the second group game and elimination was eventually confirmed. He started in the final fixture, a 3–0 victory over Australia. Koke was also selected by manager Julen Lopetegui for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. On 1 July, he was one of two Spanish players to miss his attempt in the Round Of 16 shootout against the hosts, a 4–3 loss in Moscow. After two years…

Koke is right-footed, but his versatility allows him to play as right, left or central midfielder. He is also known for his passing and ability to create attacking opportunities. Koke earned the plaudits of his peers, including former Barcelona footballer Xavi who regarded him as his successor: "He has everything: talent, physical ability, he is a footballer of the present and the future... He has been marked out as the conductor of Spain's orchestra for the next 10 years. I have a special affection for him because we play in the same position and I think he is an extraordinary player."

Club

As of match played 5 September 2026

International