Koke (footballer, born 1992)
Spanish footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jorge Resurrección Merodio (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxorxe resureɣˈθjom meˈɾoðjo];[i] born 8 January 1992), known as Koke ([ˈkoke]), is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for and serves as captain of La Liga club Atlético Madrid.
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Koke with Atlético Madrid in 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Jorge Resurrección Merodio[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 8 January 1992[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Madrid, Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[3][2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Atlético Madrid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2008 | Atlético Madrid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2010 | Atlético Madrid B | 66 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009– | Atlético Madrid | 521 | (40) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Spain U16 | 3 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2009 | Spain U17 | 19 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Spain U19 | 9 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Spain U20 | 5 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2013 | Spain U21 | 12 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Spain U23 | 6 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2022 | Spain | 70 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:11, 23 August 2026 (UTC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He has spent the entirety of his career with Atlético Madrid since making his debut with the first team in 2009, playing a club record of over 700 competitive matches and winning the 2013–14 and 2020–21 La Liga, two Europa League titles and two UEFA Super Cup trophies, while he was also a Champions League runner-up in 2014 and 2016.
Koke won the 2013 European Championship with the Spain under-21 team. He also made his debut for the full side that year, and represented the country at three World Cups and two European Championships.
Club career
Debut and Diego Simeone's first eras
Koke was born in Madrid.[4] 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 in the second half of a 5–2 away loss against FC Barcelona after coming on as a substitute for Paulo Assunção.[5] He made three further appearances during the season.[6][7][8]
Koke scored his first league goal for Atlético against Sevilla FC on 26 February 2011, his 47th-minute header from a Diego Forlán cross made it 1–1 in an eventual 2–2 home draw.[9] He finished his first full season as a professional with 17 games and two goals (the other coming in a 2–2 draw at RCD Espanyol),[10] 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.[11] He scored his first league goal of the season on 29 April 2012, opening the score in the 62nd minute of an eventual 2–2 away draw against Real Betis.[12] He appeared in 13 matches during the club's successful Europa League run, including a 90th-minute substitute appearance in the 3–0 defeat of Athletic Bilbao in the final.[13]
2013-2015
At only 20 years old, Koke started in 38 of his 48 official appearances during 2012–13 and scored three goals – this included 112 minutes of play in the final of the Copa del Rey, won against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.[14] He also began to be skilled at passing, either through set pieces or open play.[15][16] On 1 September 2013, Koke scored his first goal of the new season, contributing to a 2–1 away win over Real Sociedad.[17] His performances in October earned him the accolade of La Liga Player of the Month, while Simeone won the equivalent managerial award.[18] On 3 March 2014, he scored to help his club to a 2–2 home draw in the Madrid derby against Real Madrid.[19]
On 9 April 2014, Koke scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League, netting the only goal of a quarter-final against Barcelona[20] to send Atlético to the semi-finals for the first time since 1974.[21][22] He finished the domestic league season as the player with the second most assists with 14,[23][24] as Atlético won the league title for the first time in 18 years after a 1–1 draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou in the final matchday;[25] he was a nominee at La Liga Awards at attacking midfielder, losing out to Andrés Iniesta.[26] On 25 June, Koke signed a new five-contract deal with Atlético.[27] He was named player of the match in their Champions League group match at Malmö FF on 4 November, scoring the first goal of a 2–0 win.[28] In a penalty shootout against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the round of 16, on 18 March of the following year, he had his attempt saved by Bernd Leno, but his team nonetheless advanced.[29]
Koke started 2015–16 slowly, scoring one goal and registering not a single assist by the middle of November.[30] By the middle of April 2016, after a spell of six decisive passes in as many matches, he equalled his season's assist record of 12.[31] Later that month, Koke surpassed that tally – also moving to first place in the assists chart ahead of Barcelona's Luis Suárez[32] – and was voted Player of the Month for the second time.[33] On 23 October 2016, Koke was sent off for the first time in his career, for two yellow cards in a 1–0 loss at Sevilla.[34] The following 24 May, he signed a new five-year contract until 2024.[35] Only two months after turning 26, he entered the top 10 appearance makers in Atlético history with his 361st against Deportivo de La Coruña on 1 April 2018.[36]
400th match
On 20 January 2019, Koke played his 400th official match for the club on 20 January 2019, becoming the youngest player to do so in the process at the age of 27. He later scored once and providing one assist in a 3–0 away defeat against SD Huesca.[37] After Diego Godín's departure in summer, Koke was named team captain.[38][39] On 23 June 2020, Koke played his 450th game in a 1–0 away victory against Levante UD, being the youngest to reach that figure for the club again.[40] The following 12 May, with his club on the verge of gaining the league title, he made his 500th appearance in a 2–1 home victory against Real Sociedad, a feat only done before by Adelardo Rodríguez.[41] Koke broke the former's record on 1 October 2022 in his 554th match, a 2–0 victory against Sevilla.[42]
In an away defeat against RC Celta de Vigo on 12 February 2023, Koke appeared in his 402nd game in the top division, surpassing Adelardo again.[43] In March 2024, he signed a new contract until June 2025.[44] In a 2024–25 UEFA Champions League victory against AC Sparta Prague on 26 November 2024, which ended in a 6–0 victory, he played his 100th Champions League match.[45] On 2 June 2025, 33-year-old Koke renewed his contract until 2026,[46] effective in July of the latter year.[47]
International career
Youth
Koke was a member of the Spain under-20 who reached the quarter-finals at the 2011 FIFA World Cup in Colombia. Nonetheless, he missed in the last-16 penalty shootout against South Korea, but his team advanced.[48] Koke was selected for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London,[49] playing all three matches in a group stage exit for the nation. He also represented the under-21 at the 2013 UEFA European Championship,[50] being named to the team of the tournament as Spain won the competition by beating Italy 4–2 in Jerusalem in the final.[51]
Senior
On 14 August 2013, Koke made his debut for the senior team, replacing Santi Cazorla for the final 12 minutes of a 2–0 friendly victory against Ecuador.[52] His first competitive appearance for La Furia Roja came the same year on 6 September, as he played the full 90 minutes in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification against Finland that ended with a 2–0 victory.[53]
Koke was named in Spain's 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup[54] and was also included in the final list for the tournament.[55] On 19 June, he made his FIFA World Cup debut after replacing Xabi Alonso at half-time as the champions lost 0–2 against Chile at the Maracanã in the second group stage match, after which Spain's elimination was confirmed.[56] Koke started in the final fixture, a 3–0 victory against Australia.[57]
Koke was also selected by manager Julen Lopetegui for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.[58] 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.[59]
After two years without any call-up, Koke returned to international duty on 11 November 2020 in a 1–1 friendly draw away against Netherlands, in which he captained the country for the first time.[60] The following May, he was included in the 24-man squad for Euro 2020.[61]
Style of play
Koke is right-footed, but his versatility allows him to play as right, left or central midfielder.[62][63] He is also known for his passing,[15][16] and ability to create attacking opportunities.[23][64] Koke earned the praises 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.[65]
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | Copa del Rey | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Atlético Madrid B | 2008–09 | Segunda División B | 28 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 3 | ||
| 2009–10 | Segunda División B | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 2 | |||
| 2010–11 | Segunda División B | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 2 | |||
| Total | 66 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 7 | ||
| Atlético Madrid | 2009–10 | La Liga | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | La Liga | 17 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 19 | 2 | ||
| 2011–12 | La Liga | 25 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 13[a] | 0 | — | 40 | 2 | ||
| 2012–13 | La Liga | 33 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7[a] | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 48 | 3 | |
| 2013–14 | La Liga | 36 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 13[c] | 1 | 2[d] | 0 | 58 | 7 | |
| 2014–15 | La Liga | 34 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9[c] | 2 | 2[d] | 0 | 49 | 4 | |
| 2015–16 | La Liga | 35 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 11[c] | 0 | — | 51 | 5 | ||
| 2016–17 | La Liga | 36 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 12[c] | 0 | — | 54 | 5 | ||
| 2017–18 | La Liga | 35 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 13[e] | 2 | — | 51 | 6 | ||
| 2018–19 | La Liga | 30 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7[c] | 2 | 1[b] | 1 | 41 | 6 | |
| 2019–20 | La Liga | 32 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9[c] | 0 | 1[d] | 1 | 42 | 5 | |
| 2020–21 | La Liga | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8[c] | 0 | — | 45 | 1 | ||
| 2021–22 | La Liga | 31 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9[c] | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 43 | 1 | |
| 2022–23 | La Liga | 33 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4[c] | 0 | — | 42 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24 | La Liga | 35 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 9[c] | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2024–25 | La Liga | 32 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 7[c] | 0 | 3[f] | 0 | 47 | 1 | |
| 2025–26 | La Liga | 34 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 16[c] | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 56 | 2 | |
| 2026–27 | La Liga | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 521 | 40 | 61 | 1 | 147 | 7 | 13 | 2 | 742 | 50 | ||
| Career total | 587 | 47 | 61 | 1 | 147 | 7 | 13 | 2 | 808 | 57 | ||
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Appearance in UEFA Super Cup
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- Appearances in Supercopa de España
- Four appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, nine appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League
- Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
International
Honours
- Atlético Madrid
- 2013–14 La Liga,[70] 2020–21[71]
- 2012–13 Copa del Rey;[72] runner-up: 2025–26[73]
- 2014 Supercopa de España[74]
- UEFA Europa League: 2011–12,[13] 2017–18[75]
- UEFA Super Cup: 2012,[76] 2018[77]
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2013–14,[78] 2015–16[79]
- Spain
- FIFA U-17 World Cup third place: 2009[80]
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2010[81]
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2013[82]
- Senior: 2020–21 UEFA Nations League[83]
- Individual
See also
Notes
- In isolation, Resurrección is pronounced [resureɣˈθjon].
