A Greek footballer and manager who played for clubs like AEK Athens and the Greek national team, and later managed several teams in Greece and Cyprus.
Widely regarded as the best Greek defender of his era, Stelios Manolas is a former professional footballer who played as a center back for AEK Athens and is currently a manager. Born on July 13, 1961, Manolas is one of the few Greek footballers to have played his entire professional career for a single club.
Manolas started playing football at a young age, honing his skills on the streets and vacant lots in and around the Athens suburb of Galatsi, where he lived during his childhood. He, alongside his friend Kostas Antoniou, played for the small amateur club, Aetos Galatsi, where he was discovered by scouts and brought to the attention of AEK Athens.
At the age of 15, he was playing for the AEK Youth teams, where he was noticed for his technical skill, intelligence, and tactical mind. In January 1980, he signed his first professional contract with the club, marking the beginning of a illustrious career.
Manolas made his debut appearance in a 1-1 draw against Kastoria on February 3, 1980, and from the next season onwards, he became a regular in the defense of the yellowblacks until his retirement. Almost throughout his career, he was one of the best players and one of the natural leaders of AEK.
He gave his best in winning many titles, while alongside Toni Savevski, they formed the main backbone of the team in the 90s. A top moment in his career was when he head-blocked a shot by Lajos Dtri in front of AEK's goal line in the crucial game against Olympiacos at the Olympic Stadium.
Manolas is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in Greek football history. His dedication, skill, and leadership on the pitch inspired a generation of Greek footballers, and his legacy continues to be felt in the world of football today.
His story serves as a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and passion for the beautiful game. As a player, he was a true legend, and as a manager, he continues to make his mark on the sport he loves.
49 Years Old
A skilled midfielder who played for top clubs like Inter Milan and Fulham, and captained the Greek national team to Euro 2004 victory.
55 Years Old
A Greek footballer who won the Euro 2004 championship as captain, later becoming a politician and Member of the European Parliament.
50 Years Old
Greek midfielder who won the Euro 2004 with Greece, scoring the winning penalty in the quarterfinals against France. He's a national hero in Greece for his crucial role in the team's historic victory.
50 Years Old
Greek footballer and manager who won the Euro 2004 with Greece, scoring the winning goal in the quarterfinals against France. He's a national hero in Greece for his contributions to the team's historic victory.
51 Years Old
A skilled Greek footballer who played as a striker for several clubs, including Panathinaikos and AEK Athens, and represented Greece in multiple international tournaments.
47 Years Old
A Greek professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, known for his tenacious tackling and leadership, earning 116 caps for the national team.
45 Years Old
Greek footballer who scored crucial goals in major tournaments, including the 2012 European Championship, and played for top clubs like PAOK and Panathinaikos.
