When you’re talking about underrated players at top European clubs, Koke has to be right up there at the top of the list.

The versatile midfielder, who has made 32 appearances for Spain, has been one of the star players in Diego Simeone’s fiercely competitive Atletico Madrid side.

Without Koke in midfield, Atletico might not have won La Liga in 2014, the Europa League in 2012 or reached the final of the Champions League in 2014 and 2016.

However, some shocking news involving the 25-year-old has emerged this morning.

The Spanish newspaper AS - citing El Mundo - have claimed that Koke was robbed a gunpoint in Madrid on Thursday.

What the robber said to Koke

The Spaniard was leaving an underground car park in the city’s Chamberi district when he was pounced on by a thief.

The report claims the robber approached Koke’s car as the player wound down his window to take a ticket at the entrance barrier and held a gun to the midfielder’s head.

He then told the 25-year-old: “Give me your watch.”

Koke handed over his watch, which is worth around €70,000, and the assailant drove away on a motorcycle.

(Instagram image, per the Daily Mail, shows Koke's watch)

No doubt shaken up by the incident, Koke responded by contacting local police to report the attack.

Awful timing for Atletico

From Atletico’s perspective, the timing of this incident couldn’t be much worse.

They face local rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon and will need all of their key players, Koke included, fully focused and ready.

Five days later, Simeone’s men take on Leicester City at the Vicente Calderon in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Koke will need to prove to his manager that he hasn’t been too badly affected, mentally at least, by Thursday’s robbery.

But knowing his strength of character, he’ll still be desperate to feature for Los Colchoneros this weekend.