Dimitris Saravakos

Dimitris Saravakos

Dimitris Saravakos in 2009
Personal information
Full name	Dimitris Saravakos
Date of birth	(1961-07-26) 26 July 1961 (age 55)
Place of birth	Athens, Greece
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Winger, Attacking Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Panathinaikos (Strategic Advisor)
Youth career
1976–1977	Panionios
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1977–1984	Panionios	132	(35)
1984–1994	Panathinaikos	252	(125)
1994–1996	AEK Athens	47	(21)
1997–1998	Panathinaikos	2	(0)
Total		433	(181)
National team
1982–1994	Greece	78	(22)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Dimitris Saravakos (Greek: Δημήτρης Σαραβάκος) (born 26 July 1961), nicknamed O Μικρός (The Kid) is a Greek former football player, widely considered to be one of the greatest Greek footballers of all time and a Panathinaikos F.C icon.

He started his career in Panionios at the age of 16 quickly establishing himself as one of the most talented players in the league and at 23 he was transferred to Panathinaikos FC, where Saravakos gained international fame and became an absolute idol among the fans. In 1994 he moved to AEK Athens where he had two highly successful seasons. He returned and concluded his career in Panathinaikos in 1997.

Being one of the most charismatic players in Europe he attracted a number of offers from the biggest European clubs. Yet in the early 1990s – prior to the implementation of the ECJ's Bosman ruling – when Juventus and Fiorentina had offered him a contract, Panathinaikos' chairman Yiorgos Vardinogiannis rejected the transfers – Saravakos thus lost an opportunity to continue his successful career in Serie A.

Saravakos was arguably the biggest star of Greek football in the 1980s until mid 1990s achieving memorable milestones. He led Panathinaikos in 3 championships, 6 cups, 2 Super Cups and numerous European triumphs most notably leading the "greens" in the Semifinals of the Champions Cup in 1985, in the UEFA cup quarterfinals in 1988 (where Saravakos led in scoring) and in the UEFA champions league quarterfinals in 1992. In 1994 his immense presence and creativity on the field helped AEK advance to the group stage of the Champions League for the first time in its history.