If there is a footballer who measures Atlético that is Jorge Resurrección, Koke. The captain, 29 years old (they will be 30 in January), the only one capable of reaching and demolishing the record that Adelardo, a myth, established in the 70s, 553 with the rojiblanca. 522 carries Koke. For many standard seasons. And mood meter. Atlético has not started the season well, neither has he, but Simeone knows, because it has been 12 years since his debut with the first team, that life without Koke is always much worse than life with Koke, thermometer. Koke runs for everyone, Koke wears himself out for everyone, Koke is like one of the stands who has managed to jump onto the pitch, to defend the rojiblanca. And, despite this, when the wind does not accompany and does not push, the fingers point critically and mercilessly.
But the Koke thermometer is only a reflection of the others. Of an Oblak that concedes one out of every two shots that are thrown at him. Of a Felipe who appears in all the photos in both areas. From a dry Suarez in five games. From an Atlético that, after proclaiming itself last LaLiga champion, changed Saúl, Vitolo, and Dembelé for Griezmann, De Paul and Cunha and, nevertheless, it does not start, it does not carburet. Madrid has beaten him, Sevilla has beaten him, the Metropolitano is no longer a fort and there is no outside roller either. For Simeone it is his landline. Your field footballer. The one that accumulates the most minutes. 1,691 ‘. 379 ‘from Oblak, the rojiblanco who has played the most. But the captain missed two games in September, and a third was a substitute, due to a muscle injury.
In the league, except for the first game against Celta, all their duels have been 90 ‘. The last time he played less was at Anfield, changed in 69 ‘, eight games ago, from’ 5 ‘, although that is not the right place to develop his best football. Koke always sacrifices himself for the team, Koke always makes himself available to others. LSimeone’s extension on the lawn. Although Atlético has lost the step of champion, with three consecutive defeats in Liga, Simeone’s first time since he arrived a decade ago. Life with Koke can be tough but the numbers are there: life without Koke is always worse. That is why he plays every possible minute.