Which athletes reign supreme in Greece?
From the soccer fields to the Olympic arenas, who are the most popular soccer players from Greece?
Explore the top Greek athletes and their impact on the world of sports.
Also, check out this article for a broader look at the most popular athletes from Greece.
Most popular soccer players from Greece:
- Giorgos Karagounis
- Angelos Charisteas
- Theodoros Zagorakis
- Dimitris Salpingidis
- Kostas Manolas
- Vasilis Hatzipanagis
- Sokratis Papastathopoulos
- Kostas Mitroglou
- Stelios Giannakopoulos
- Nikos Anastopoulos
- Ioannis Amanatidis
Table of Contents
#1 Giorgos Karagounis
- 🎂 Born in: 1977
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: UEFA Euro 2004 Champion
Giorgos Karagounis is widely regarded as one of the greatest Greek soccer players in history. As a central midfielder, Karagounis played a crucial role in helping Greece achieve a miraculous victory in UEFA Euro 2004.
Beyond his international success, he has had a storied club career with Panathinaikos, Inter Milan, and Fulham, among others.
#2 Angelos Charisteas
- 🎂 Born in: 1980
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: UEFA Euro 2004 Champion and Winning Goal Scorer
Angelos Charisteas is best known for scoring the winning goal in the UEFA Euro 2004 final, helping Greece secure an unexpected and historic triumph. The striker has enjoyed a successful career in various clubs across Europe, including Werder Bremen and Ajax.
His goal-scoring ability made him an invaluable asset for the Greek national team throughout his career.
#3 Theodoros Zagorakis
- 🎂 Born in: 1971
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: UEFA Euro 2004 Champion and Player of the Tournament
Theodoros Zagorakis, a tenacious midfielder, captained Greece to their stunning victory at UEFA Euro 2004 and was named the Player of the Tournament. His leadership, work rate, and tough tackling made him a vital part of the Greek national team and various club sides, including PAOK and Leicester City.
Zagorakis’ unwavering commitment and aggressiveness on the field have made him a fan favorite and one of Greece’s all-time greats.
#4 Dimitris Salpingidis
- 🎂 Born in: 1981
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: UEFA Euro 2004 Champion
Dimitris Salpingidis, a skillful and speedy winger, was an integral part of Greece’s UEFA Euro 2004-winning squad. His ability to score important goals in crucial matches made him a standout player for the national team.
Salpingidis also enjoyed domestic success, notably with his hometown club PAOK, and later with Panathinaikos.
#5 Kostas Manolas
- 🎂 Born in: 1991
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Serie A Defender of the Year 2019
Kostas Manolas, a talented and reliable central defender, has been a standout figure in Greek soccer. Throughout his career, Manolas has represented well-respected clubs like Olympiacos, AS Roma, and Napoli.
A force to be reckoned with, Manolas’ defensive prowess has granted him a formidable reputation in both national and international competitions.
#6 Vasilis Hatzipanagis
- 🎂 Born in: 1954
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 2-time Greek Footballer of the Year
Vasilis Hatzipanagis, often referred to as “the Greek Maradona,” is considered one of the most talented players in Greek soccer history. His exceptional dribbling skills, flair, and playmaking abilities dazzled spectators and opponents alike during his time with Iraklis Thessaloniki.
Although Hatzipanagis’ international career was limited due to political reasons, his remarkable talent and skill remain undisputed.
#7 Sokratis Papastathopoulos
- 🎂 Born in: 1988
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: DFB-Pokal winner with Borussia Dortmund
Sokratis Papastathopoulos, a reliable and versatile center-back, has risen to prominence both in Greece and on the international stage. Throughout his career, Sokratis has played for major clubs such as AEK Athens, Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund, and Arsenal.
His stalwart defensive performances have contributed to successes for his clubs and the Greek national team alike.
#8 Kostas Mitroglou
- 🎂 Born in: 1988
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Top Scorer of the Greek Super League in 2013 and 2014
Kostas Mitroglou, a powerful and effective striker, has made a name for himself in Greek soccer and beyond. Over the years, he has showcased his goal-scoring prowess at Olympiacos, Fulham, Benfica, and Galatasaray, among others.
Mitroglou has also been a key contributor to the Greek national team as a consistent source of offensive firepower.
#9 Stelios Giannakopoulos
- 🎂 Born in: 1974
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: UEFA Euro 2004 Champion
Stelios Giannakopoulos, a quick and skillful winger, was a vital part of Greece’s UEFA Euro 2004-winning squad. His club career highlights include successful stints at Olympiacos and Bolton Wanderers, where his offensive capabilities earned him widespread acclaim.
Alongside his club and international achievements, Giannakopoulos was also named Greek Footballer of the Year on two occasions.
#10 Nikos Anastopoulos
- 🎂 Born in: 1958
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Top Scorer of the Greek Super League in 1980 and 1981
Nikos Anastopoulos, a prolific striker, has etched his name in the annals of Greek soccer history. With exceptional goal-scoring abilities, Anastopoulos set records in the Greek Super League while playing for clubs such as Panionios and Olympiacos.
His consistent performances for the Greek national team further solidified his place among the all-time greats of Greek soccer.
#11 Ioannis Amanatidis
- 🎂 Born in: 1981
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Greek Footballer of the Year in 2004
Ioannis Amanatidis, a versatile forward, has enjoyed an illustrious career both in Greece and abroad. A tenacious attacker with notable contributions at Kalamata, Eintracht Frankfurt, and PAOK, Amanatidis was a constant nuisance for opposing defenders.
His contributions to the Greek national team, such as captaining the squad during UEFA Euro 2008, make him one of Greece’s most memorable soccer players.
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FAQ
Who is the greatest soccer player in the history of Greece?
Regarded as Greece’s greatest, Giorgos Karagounis had a highly successful career in soccer.
Who is the most renowned female soccer player from Greece?
Anastasia Papadopoulou is widely recognized as the most famous female soccer player from Greece.
Which Greek soccer player is the most recognized internationally?
Angelos Charisteas, thanks to his performances in major European leagues, is the most recognized Greek soccer player internationally.
