Atletico Madrid captain Koke has admitted he does not know if this season represents his final opportunity to win the biggest prize in club football, as he dreams of lifting the Champions League trophy.
The 33-year-old midfielder, a one-club man who has spent his entire career at the Metropolitano, spoke openly about his ambitions and the uncertainty surrounding how many more chances he will get at Europe’s top competition.
“I don’t know if this was the last one,” Koke said, reflecting on Atletico’s current campaign in the Champions League. The veteran playmaker made clear that the desire to win the tournament remains as strong as ever.
Atletico Madrid have reached the Champions League final three times in their history, in 1974, 2014, and 2016, but have never won it. On each of the two most recent occasions, they were beaten by local rivals Real Madrid.
Koke was part of both those finals under Diego Simeone, in Lisbon and Milan, and the pain of those defeats still lingers. Now, as one of the most experienced players in the squad, he is determined to go one step further.
“Winning the Champions League is the dream,” Koke stated. “We work every day to compete at the highest level and to give everything for this club. The dream is still alive.”
Atletico Madrid are currently competing on multiple fronts this season, and Koke’s leadership remains crucial to Simeone’s plans. The captain’s contract situation has also been a topic of discussion, though his focus remains firmly on the pitch.
With the knockout stages approaching, Koke knows that every game could be decisive. “We have to take it step by step,” he added. “But the ambition is there. We want to fight for the big prize.”
