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The Madrid derby is without question one of the most spectacular fixtures that sport has to offer. Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid are the protagonists of this tense showdown which, since its first edition in 1905, has been the most frequently contested official match in Spanish football history.
In this article we look at the ten colchoneros who have played the most derbies.
10. Hugo Sánchez
Tied with Saúl Ñíguez on 28 appearances each — the Mexican striker who also went on to wear the Real Madrid shirt came close to reaching the thirty-derby mark against his local rivals. Hugo Sánchez scored 10 goals across his 28 derbies.
9. Diego Godín
The Uruguayan rock arrived at Atlético de Madrid in 2010 from Villarreal and went on to play 30 derbies. His departure from the club was a painful one, having quickly established himself as a leader of the rojiblanco defence. He lifted a Copa del Rey, a league title, a Spanish Super Cup, three UEFA Super Cups and two Europa Leagues.
8. Gabi Fernández
The Spanish midfielder came through Atlético de Madrid's academy and made his first-team debut in the 2003/04 season. Gabriel Luis Fernández Arenas — 'Gabi' — wore the captain's armband for several seasons, during which he won a Spanish league title, a Copa del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and two Europa Leagues. He faced Real Madrid on 30 occasions.
7. Isacio Calleja
Level with Diego Godín and Gabi, Isacio Calleja also played thirty derbies against Atlético's greatest rivals. The defender from Palencia represented Spain in the year that La Roja won their first ever title — Euro 1964.
6. Tomás Reñones
Pedro Tomás Reñones spent 13 seasons at Atlético de Madrid and played a total of 33 derbies. The defender from Santiago de Compostela, capped by Spain, won a league title, four Copa del Rey trophies and a Spanish Super Cup with the rojiblanco side.
5. Antoine Griezmann
The Frenchman is one of the few players still active at the club and could yet add to his tally against Real Madrid. With 34 appearances in the derby, Antoine Griezmann has scored ten goals against the merengues.
4. Enrique Collar
Enrique Collar, born in San Juan de Aznalfarache, Seville, spent 16 seasons at Atlético de Madrid. Over more than three decades at the club he played 34 times against Real Madrid. He was capped by Spain and won a league title, three Cup trophies and a Cup Winners' Cup.
3. Jan Oblak
The 32-year-old Slovenian is the rojiblanco goalkeeper with the most Madrid derbies to his name in history — 35. He arrived in the capital in 2014 and quickly made the goal his own, defending it with authority ever since, and will likely continue adding to his derby tally.
2. Adelardo Rodríguez
Adelardo is one of the most emblematic players in Club Atlético de Madrid's history and the second most capped in derby terms. Over 17 seasons at the rojiblanco club, he played 35 Madrid derbies. He commands great affection among the colchonero faithful, and his honours list speaks for itself. The midfielder from Badajoz won three league titles, five Cups, an Intercontinental Cup and a Cup Winners' Cup. He was also capped by Spain and played in two World Cups — Chile 1962 and England 1966.
1. Koke Resurrección
One of the greatest symbols in colchonero history, Jorge Resurrección 'Koke' is Atlético de Madrid's all-time record appearance holder and has played 43 derbies to date. The midfielder, born in the Madrid neighbourhood of Vallecas, wears the captain's armband at the club of his life and continues to leave his mark across Spain and Europe at the age of 33.
These are currently the ten Atlético de Madrid players with the most appearances in the Madrid derby. Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak and Koke Resurrección can still add to their totals, as all three remain at the club.
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