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

Málaga

Born in Málaga, Koke started his football career at hometown club Málaga CF, being essential as the B team reached the Segunda División for the first time their history in 2003. On 23 February 2003, he scored a late equaliser in a 1–1 home draw against RC Celta de Vigo in La Liga, where he appeared in six games, five from the bench, totalling 176 minutes for the Andalusians during the season.

Marseille

In January 2004, after seeing very little playing time in the first team, barred by veteran Salva, Koke joined Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille, playing ten times without scoring the remainder of the season. The following one was much better, with him netting five goals in 24 appearances. In the 2005–06 campaign, with the arrival of Mamadou Niang (in August 2005) and Toifilou Maoulida (in January 2006), Koke was deemed surplus to requirements, scoring one goal in nine league matches and, in January 2006, was sent on loan to Sporting CP where he played almost no part in the club's season, although he did find the net twice as a substitute against Gil Vicente F.C. on 5 March, in a 2–0 home win.

Aris

The arrival – initially on loan – of Djibril Cissé in August 2006 meant the end of Koke's adventure in France. He would eventually sign for Aris Thessaloniki FC, a team that was filled with Spanish players, in a three-year deal. He produced the best football of his career in years, scoring ten league goals for a team that finished fourth in the…

In November 2019, Koke was arrested in Estepona on suspicion of heading a drugs ring. A total of 30 people including his brother and girlfriend were detained in the same operation; he left pre-trial detention in July 2021 by paying a €15,000 bond.

Málaga

UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2002 Marseille

UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2005 Coupe de France runner-up: 2005–06 Aris

Greek Football Cup runner-up: 2007–08, 2009–10 FK Baku

Azerbaijan Cup: 2011–12