2024-04-20 07:11:54
The last assessment that the image of Spyros Maragos allows for those who do not know who he is facing is that he was a football player! Even his own people are getting carried away. The originator of the “low profile” designation would probably have previously met with Spyros. Who managed to accompany his talent with the “awards” of 341 participations in the A’ National team (with Panionio, Panathinaikos and PAOK), 75 in the Cypriot league (with Omonia Nicosia and APOEL) and 26 in the National team and with a World Cup on his feet, at the same time abstaining from any event befitting a star. He didn’t care, he didn’t choose. The Carpenter never fought for the “marquee”. Although she climbed her first steps many times, with the four championships with Panathinaikos (1990, 1991, 1995, 1996) and the five Cups (1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995). Although he was transferred to the “greens”, because in Panionios… they got confused and finally he was released to them! Although he left Peania – for PAOK – with the label of “old”!
He only talked about football and still talks non-stop. As he changed the ball, with the same comfort, on both feet. But he also talks to the children, because they need to learn the secrets precisely from a young age, as he tries to do in the development program he participates in at the Panathinaikos academy. As he remembers his own experiences, like the one that brought him against the colossus with the name. Maradona!
Q: After the completion of your football journey, where do we find you?
A.: When I stopped competing, I had no other choice in my mind, except to be present in the field in any way. I worked as a coach at young ages, like now at the Panathinaikos academy, where I have the responsibility of children under 13 years old, while I also work in business in 5X5, also with kids.
Q: Looking back on your rich career, what were you thinking when you saw Maradona against the USA at the World Cup?
A.: That my options were limited. There was no time for other thoughts! Only with a foul you had, if you had, the chance to stop him. I don’t remember anything else.
Q: Maradona or Messi? What is the difference you see in the grass?
ANS.: Messi! Because his efforts are repeated, without stopping, even for a moment. Maradona was attempting and completing five measured and incredible things, but Messi only stops at the final whistle. The Barcelona system suits him, of course, absolutely. Maradona himself had a separate system from the rest of the team!
Q.: What are the differences of today’s era, with which your students should be trained as well?
ANS.: Tactics have the first word in football these days. It isolates the talent, unfortunately. But we must learn how to love what we fight for. That’s how you progress. Without emotion there is nothing left at the end. The love for the union, while serving it, is decisive.
Q.: Is the combination of your era with today’s, in teaching, possible?
ANS: If you respect others in the locker room, as I did with those who taught me a lot at Panionios, you will progress. It is important, for all seasons, to have role models next to talent. This is what children should learn, regardless of their talent.
Q: What were the role models that helped you?
A.: Noni Lima and Gary Owen, who I found then in New Smyrna. When you want to learn, you must face the old with awe. It is caused by the great professionals themselves. Vazeha is a better example.
Q.: What is the element missing from football today?
ANS.: The calm! Because money is invested in the wrong way, out of proportion to the level of the people and the quality of the sport, with the sole purpose of profit. Funders have always been there, not to profit, but because they were emotionally attached to the teams. Entire families lost money, for the love of one group.
Q: Comparing your long journey to the one you want to pass on today to those who will make up the next day, what would you most like someone to have?
ANS: To publicly say his opinion about the team. The football player is the most important part of it and cannot remain silent. He is the star on the pitch, he is the one around whom everything revolves. So he is the one who must -first- place himself, realizing of course the limits that involve the risk of causing disturbance.
QUESTION: Does the football player ever get away from football?
A.: No, because what you have inside you from childhood never comes out. You will always be there.
Q: What do you want people to remember about Maragos?
ANS: That he played with passion. I wish, sometimes, he would have said what he thought would help his team.
Q: Why do you remember him?
ANS: For his great experiences. Inside and outside Greece. At a time when immigration was almost impossible, for the big European games, such as the first trial season of the Champions League, 1991-92, these games gave us all immense joy, because it was the only contact we had with the rest of Europe. .
Q: You scored the goal in Genoa’s 1-1 draw against Sampdoria, which also reached the final…
ANS: The only one of Panathinaikos in Europe, that season…
Antonis Katsaros
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