Could this be the most historic night at the Allianz? A clash with Bayern Munich turned extra‑special for Jan Oblak, who matched Adelardo Rodríguez as Atlético’s second‑most‑capped player with 553 appearances. Only captain Koke remains ahead with 749 games.
Twelve years, one month and 16 days have slipped by since Oblak’s first Atlético start on 16 September 2014 against Olympiakos in the Champions League, a 3‑2 defeat that left him unsettled. Consequently, Moyà retained the No.1 shirt for the rest of that campaign.
He finally seized the starting role on 17 March 2015 after a Balearic keeper’s injury forced him into the Champions League round‑of‑16 second leg versus Bayer Leverkusen, where his penalty heroics secured Atlético’s progress. From that point no rival could dislodge him, despite challenges from Adán, Grbic, Moldovan and Musso.
During his tenure Oblak has lifted a La Liga title, a Europa League, a UEFA Super Cup and a Spanish Super Cup. He also claimed six Zamora trophies, a feat no other La Liga goalkeeper has ever achieved. For my money, his collection of Zamoras cements his legacy as the league’s greatest keeper.
Facing Bayern, Oblak entered as the league’s reigning Zamora, having let in just eight goals, and overtook Celta’s Radu for the honor after the final matchday.
The game was poignant: Oblak equaled Adelardo against the side that stopped Atlético from winning the 1974 Cup Winners’ Cup. The captain that day lingered on the threshold of becoming the first to lift that trophy.
Trailing Koke, Oblak and Adelardo are Griezmann with 501 matches, Tomás Reñones 483, Collar 470, Correa 469, Aguilera 456, Saúl 427 and Calleja 425, rounding out the top ten. Will any newcomer break this elite list in the coming years?