The captain of the Greece squad that secured victory at UEFA Euro 2004, Theodoros Zagorakis, was named the Greek Male Athlete of the Year in 2004. A central midfielder throughout his professional career, he accumulated 120 international caps, a record for his national team until 2012, while also serving as a member of the European Parliament for ten years.
Early Career and Move to England
Born on 27 October 1971 in Lydia, Kavala, Zagorakis began his professional career with Kavala in 1988, contributing to the club's promotion to the Beta Ethniki. In the 1992–93 season, he joined PAOK, where he played until December 1997. He subsequently moved to the English side Leicester City. During his time in England, he participated in two League Cup finals at Wembley Stadium, losing in 1999 to Tottenham Hotspur but defeating Tranmere Rovers in the following final, though he remained an unused substitute for the latter match.
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Zagorakis returned to Greece in July 2000 to join AEK Athens. He played alongside teammates including Demis Nikolaidis and Akis Zikos, winning the Greek Cup in 2002 against Olympiacos. Following his performance at Euro 2004, he moved to the Italian club Bologna on a free transfer in July 2004. After the team was relegated from Serie A in 2005, he returned to Greece to rejoin PAOK, signing a two-year contract. He officially retired from professional football on 28 May 2007.
International Achievement
Zagorakis debuted for the Greece national team on 7 September 1994 against the Faroe Islands. His international career peaked in 2004 when he led Greece to win the European Championships in Portugal, earning the title of Player of the Tournament. He finished fifth in the 2004 Ballon d'Or voting and seventeenth for the FIFA World Player of the Year. He retired from international football on 22 August 2007, following a final appearance in a friendly match against Spain at Toumba Stadium.
Administration and Politics
Following his retirement from play, Zagorakis became president of PAOK on 18 June 2007, focusing on restructuring the club's finances and debt. In 2014, he transitioned into politics, securing election as a Member of the European Parliament. He served two consecutive terms in the European Parliament from 2014 to 2024, representing Greece in Brussels and Strasbourg. Additionally, he briefly served as the president of the Hellenic Football Federation from March to September 2021.
Fast facts
- Born: 27 October 1971, Lydia
- International caps: 120
- UEFA Euro 2004 Player of the Tournament
- MEP term: 2014-2024
- Former President of PAOK
- First international goal: 2006 World Cup qualifying against Denmark
Questions readers ask
Did Zagorakis play for any English clubs?
Yes, he played for Leicester City from 1998 until 2000.
What political positions has he held?
He served as a Member of the European Parliament for two terms between 2014 and 2024 and was president of the Hellenic Football Federation in 2021.
