Dimitris Saravakos

Who is Dimitris Saravakos?

Dimitrios "Dimitris" Saravakos, nicknamed O Μικρός is a Greek former football player, considered to be one of the best Greek football players of all time. He started his career in Panionios and later he moved on to Panathinaikos FC, where Saravakos gained fame and matured as a footballer, evolving into a formidable right winger. After a rejection of a renewal contract offer by Panathinaikos, Saravakos moved to AEK Athens in 1994. He returned and concluded his career in Panathinaikos three years later.

Being a charismatic player he attracted a number of the biggest clubs in Europe. Yet in the early 1990s – prior to the implementation of the ECJ's Bosman ruling – when Juventus had offered him a contract, Panathinaikos' chairman Giorgos Vardinogiannis rejected the transfer – Saravakos thus lost an opportunity to continue his successful career also in Serie A.

Saravakos won several Super League Championships and cups in Greece with Panathinaikos and AEK Athens. He also captained the Greek national team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and brought Panathinaikos to the semi finals of the European Cup in 1985.