Greek soccer legend Mimis Domazos, nicknamed \u201cthe General,\u201d passed away on Friday at the age of 83.<\/p>\n
He had been hospitalized since Wednesday, his birthday, at Athens\u2019 Red Cross Hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home in the Halandri suburb, north of Athens.<\/p>\n
Born on January 22, 1942, Domazos began his soccer journey playing in the fields near Panathinaikos\u2019 stadium on Alexandras Avenue.<\/p>\n
Regarded as one of Greece\u2019s greatest players, he rose to prominence in 1959 when Svetislav Glisovic, the Serbian coach of Panathinaikos, recommended signing him. At just 17 years old, Domazos joined the club, where he would play for almost two decades, from 1959 to 1978.<\/p>\n
The pinnacle of his career came in 1971 when he captained Panathinaikos in the European Cup final at Wembley Stadium, where they faced Dutch giants Ajax. The match ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Athens side.<\/p>\n
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Domazos, an attacking midfielder who wore the classic number 10 shirt, served as Panathinaikos\u2019 captain for nearly 15 years, winning a total of 13 titles with the club. Between 1978 and 1980, he played for AEK before returning to Panathinaikos to finish his playing career.<\/p>\n
He made 536 league appearances, with Panathinaikos and AEK, and holds the all-time record for the most appearances in Greek soccer. Despite more than 40 years having passed, he remains at the top of the list. Domazos also earned 50 caps for the Greek national team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe \u2018General\u2019 was, is, and will always be the greatest player Greek soccer has ever produced. He was the best of the best,\u201d the club said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was the one everyone looked up to as a role model. He was the one everyone wanted as their captain. He was the one no one wanted as an opponent. He was the greatest player this country has ever seen on the field,\u201d the club added.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also paid tribute to Domazos. \u201cHis influence transcended fan divisions, honoring both the Panathinaikos shirt and the national team jersey,\u201d he said. \u201cMimis Domazos was a symbol of intelligence, competitiveness, and integrity in soccer,\u201d he added, expressing his condolences to his family.<\/p>\n
From 1967 to 1979, Domazos was married to popular singer Vicky Moscholiou.<\/p>\n
He later married Argyro (Io) Theodorou, with whom he had a daughter.<\/p>\n
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