He made 429 La Liga appearances, mostly in two spells at Atlético Madrid interspersed with a period at Zaragoza, winning domestic and European silverware with the former; during his ten-year stint at the club, he amassed competitive totals of 417 matches and ten goals.

[7] Again a starter in the 2010–11, only missing matches due to suspension, Gabi scored a career-best ten goals as Zaragoza again escaped relegation,[8] six from penalties – he was also their captain.

[9] On 30 April, he converted a penalty in a 3–2 victory away to Real Madrid[10] and, on the last matchday, scored twice from open play in a 2–1 win at Levante UD that secured his team's top-flight status.

[12] He scored his first goal for the team on 4 December, in a 3–1 home win over Rayo Vallecano – adding one in his own net[13]– and started most of the first season in his second spell, partnering fellow youth graduate Mario Suárez in defensive midfield.

[16] On 17 May 2014, in the away match to FC Barcelona that was the last of the season, Gabi took a 49th-minute corner kick which was headed in by Diego Godín to equalise 1–1, and give Atlético its first league title since 1996.

"[20] Gabi scored his first goal of the season – from 49 appearances – on 16 May 2018,[21] netting from close range after an assist from Koke in the last minute of the Europa League final against Olympique de Marseille, a 3–0 win in Lyon.

[29] Gabi was selected in José Ufarte's Spain squad at the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, finishing as runners-up to Brazil.