One of the greatest Greek football players in history, Mimis Papaioannou, passed away in Athens.
Who was Mimis Papaioannou?
Mimis Papaioannou was born on August 23, 1942, in Nea Nikomedeia, close to Veria in northern Greece. He showed early signs of skill for football and an evident passion for the game.
The fact that Papaioannou never received a red card during his brilliant career speaks everything about his restraint and character as a player.
Papaioannou scored two goals against Real Madrid in an exhibition game on May 12, 1965, and great Hungarian footballer Ferenc Puskás suggested that Real Madrid sign him.
Due to management’s concerns about the supporters’ reaction, the move did not take place, and as retaliation, AEK suspended Papaioannou for a year.
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics named Papaioannou the finest Greek footballer of the 20th century, recognizing him as the most extraordinary player of his generation (IFFHS). He was also chosen by the IFFHS as one of Greece’s top Eleven players ever in 2021.
Papaioannou started playing for the AEK Athens football club in 1962 when he was 20 years old, and his name is now linked with the team’s prosperous era.
Along with Kostas Nestoridis, a legendary figure in Greek football, he created an exceptional offensive duo that was a formidable force for rival clubs.