Koch: I've always wanted to return to the national team and want the international career to last as long as possible

Last night, Cork, who was playing with Spain in the European Championship, was interviewed by El Transistor on Radio Zero, where he talked about his feelings about being able to play for his country and his upbringing at Atletico.

Are you okay in St. Petersburg? Wouldn't it be better to go to the Swiss and French matches?

We were all fine. We are calm now and looking forward to the quarter-finals.

You missed all the matches in the European Championship qualifier stage and almost had to watch this European Championship on TV. And now that you're an irreplaceable starter in Spain, did you think that would be the case? Is there already a holiday plan (before being selected)?

I haven't been selected for two years, and I've always wanted to get back on the national team and always tell my coach that I want to help everyone wherever I am. It's an honor to be at the European Championships and fight for my country, and hopefully I'll continue to be a part of the national team for many years to come. Let's take it one step at a time though, we're focused on the next game now and we look forward to moving on.

Tonight is very memorable for me and I'm going to end my career at this stadium. I remember when you played for Atletico's youth team, you missed the opportunity to participate in the Hope Cup in La Liga, right? (Note: Last night was the last episode of El Transistor hosted by Zero Radio anchor José Ramón de la Morena in his 40-year career, José Ramón de la Morena is a Atletico fan, and Radio Zero specially placed this episode at atletico's home stadium at Atletico, giving the well-known journalist a special "retirement ceremony")

I had two chances to race and didn't make it, but I ended up playing for Atletico for a long time.

Why didn't it go? Once because of injuries, wasn't it?

Yes, once because of injuries, the other time was not selected. But that's fine.

You played for Atletico's echelon of all ages and eventually became atletico captain, have you encountered a lot of difficulties in the process?

Yes, there are many difficulties, not only to become an Atletico player, but also to be able to gain a foothold in La Liga. I had friends in the process to help me share the burden and talk to them about all these things. And in the end, all your efforts will be rewarded.

What does becoming atletico captain mean to you? The weight of the captain's armband is very heavy

Yes, it means a lot of responsibility. You have to set an example both on and off the pitch and interpret atletico's values with action.

Now let's talk about the advice that others have given you, what is the best advice you have received when it comes to being a captain?

There were two, one that Godin told me to do well and not change just by being captain; the other from Gabi, who told me the most important thing was to focus on football and not anything else. These two pieces of advice helped me become who I am today, to continue to work hard and to help the team.

Cork, tonight's Wanda Metropolitano stadium is wonderful, do you also think of the silence of a few kilometers away (the old Calderon Stadium)? You came here from there...

We've been in Calderon for a longer time, but the Wanda Metropolitano stadium is also beautiful, and for me it's the best stadium in the world.

Close your eyes and think, what are your best memories of being on both courts?

In Calderon it was the 2014 Champions League elimination of Barca and the final year of the Champions League vs. Real Madrid, and although we were eliminated, these two nights were the most wonderful for me because of the support of the fans and everything that everyone had made. We had a little less time at the Wanda Metropolitano, but there were still some memorable European games and league games, we beat Barca and the Europa League semi-final elimination of Arsenal. These are wonderful nights that have been experienced on both courses, and these moments are also special to me.

(Editor: Yao Fan)