Koke Bids Farewell to Giménez at Atlético Madrid With Heartfelt Message: "Everything You've Given This Club Stays Here Forever"

Thirteen seasons together leave a mark, and that much was clear in the words Koke had for José María Giménez the moment his departure from Atlético Madrid was confirmed. The Uruguayan, known in the locker room as "Josema" or "Pela," is heading out on a one year loan to Deportivo La Coruña, and the Atlético captain made sure to mark the occasion with a letter posted on social media.

Giménez joined Atlético in April 2013 from Danubio, and he quickly became a fixture in the club's backline. Thirteen years is enough time for plenty to happen: titles, injuries, finals, and summer after summer of speculation about his future that always ended the same way, he stayed in Madrid. Now, with other center backs emerging and Giménez needing regular minutes, the Uruguayan will look for a fresh start at Riazor.

Koke, who has shared nearly his entire career with him, held nothing back:

"Pela, brother, after so many years sharing a locker room it's hard to find the words to say goodbye. We grew up together. We've won, lost, suffered and celebrated. And through all of it you've always been the same guy, the kind of teammate who makes a team better and the kind of person who leaves a mark."Koke

The midfielder didn't stop there. He closed the message with a reflection that sums up pretty well what Giménez means to the club's recent history:

"I'll hold on to everything we lived through, but above all to the pride of having shared so many years with you defending this crest. You're leaving Atleti, but everything you've given this club stays here forever. Good luck in your new chapter, Josema."Koke

A Partnership Backed by the Numbers

What Koke and Giménez have isn't just about kind words. According to Transfermarkt data, the two played together in 313 matches, a figure that makes the Uruguayan one of the teammates Koke has shared the pitch with the most. Only one player ranks above him on that list: Jan Oblak, who took the field alongside Koke 324 times.

The relationship holds up from the other side too. Ranking Giménez's teammates by matches played together, Koke comes in sixth, behind Oblak (478), Antoine Griezmann (428), Ángel Correa (380), Saúl Ñíguez (360) and Diego Godín (332). Those numbers tell the story of an entire generation at Atlético that grew, won and also suffered together for more than a decade.

With Giménez's departure, Koke remains one of the few survivors from that core group that defined an era at the club. Beyond the nostalgia, the farewell makes one simple thing clear: some bonds don't fade just because a player moves on to another team.