Diego Simeone described Koke as an exemplary captain after the midfielder made a record-breaking 554th Atletico Madrid appearance in Saturday s 2-0 win at Sevilla.
Koke – who came through Atleti s youth ranks – surpassed fellow Colchoneros great Adelardo Rodriguez in the club s all-time appearance chart in a routine victory at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
The 30-year-old marked the occasion with an assist, teeing up Marcos Llorente to score a fine opener before Alvaro Morata lobbed Yassine Bounou to score his fourth league goal of the campaign after the break.
Koke has been a key player throughout Simeone s long reign in Madrid, and the Argentine struggled find the words to describe his captain s influence after the win.
It is difficult, in a short time, to express all the feelings I have for him, first as a person and then as a footballer, Simeone told DAZN.
He is a guy who gave himself, who never hesitated to commit first to Atletico, with his team-mates, with the coaching staff, and that is very difficult to see.
He has been an exemplary captain for many years. It is not easy to maintain that place in a team like Atletico, with so much responsibility.
Jorge Resurrección Merodio Koke .
A one-club legend.
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish)
He is very intelligent. I have always appreciated that he knows what has to be said, to whom, where and when. Then as a footballer he has given us a lot of things.
He has given us hierarchy, work, strength, being able to generate a commitment as a team through the midfielders. Now I see him in an important role, hopefully I can develop it in the best way.
Meanwhile, Simeone deployed Llorente in an advanced role alongside Morata, and was delighted to see the 27-year-old end a 51-game goal drought by drilling into the bottom-left corner in the first half.
I am very happy for Llorente because it is a position that interests me, I like it, where I know he can do very well, Simeone said.
He has enormous power and also works for the team. He gives us a lot of speed up front.
Llorente said Atleti could have won even more convincingly, but was pleased with their display, adding: We are happy not only for the three points and the team s victory, but also for the game.
At the back we have been strong, we have had enough chances to have a bigger result. But 2-0 here in Seville is a good thing.
