First game you watched live as a supporter?
The first game I watched was the same team whose Academy I was at in Athens, called Apollon Smyrnis, who are one of the older teams in Greece. I think they were in the Delta Ethniki, which was the fourth division back then, and their stadium was close to where we lived. That was my first game that I watched in the stadium and I think I was aged about six and I was with my Dad, Thanassis. Apollon Smyrnis have a lot of history and played some European games back then as well.
First team you played for as a boy?
Apollon Smyrnis. I was there for 15 years. When I was very young, I wanted to start playing football in an Academy and this team was next to my home, like five minutes away, so it was easy for my parents to drive me there and it made it easier for them. I joined when I was five years old and I really enjoyed it. I went two or three times a week. I can say that when I left without becoming a professional with them, I was a little bit sad, but at the same time I had to do my next step. They didn't want to make me a professional for whatever reason, so I had to find something that worked out for me and I signed for PAS Giannina, who play in the city where my father was born.
First position you played in?
I moved all around the positions, but I liked a lot to play as a ‘keeper! I liked it a lot, and also striker. I’ve never played in goal professionally, but I would if I was needed! Through all of these years, I changed positions many times, but most of the time I was a defender, and I realised that maybe it was best for me to stay as a defender! I really worked on my game, though, because when I became professional I was not at a good level technically with my passing and stuff, but I did extras after training and I think I became better. I was playing regularly only for six months before I moved to Arsenal, so it was unbelievable and all happened really quickly.
First football hero?
Ronaldinho. When I started to watch football on the TV, I remember back then Ronaldinho moved to Barcelona and he was like amazing at that age. I was really impressed, watching him, and that’s why I loved football. He was just smiling and played every game like it was just on the street or in the park, with no fear.
First football shirt you had?
In Greece we have bazaar markets where they sell the cheap unofficial football shirts and when I was small I had one of Ronaldinho, one of Olympiacos and one of Panathinaikos.
First mentor?
My parents, but they didn't really want to force me to do something, so I was just going on my way and then I had some opinions from my parents. Whatever I found good, I just followed it. My parents just tried to explain to me many things about life back then and even now, so they are the ones who guided me.
First game as a professional?
It was a cup game and we were playing against a small club from the second division called Agrotikos Asteras [back in November 2016, when I was 18]. They had green jerseys, a really small stadium with sides close to the pitch and it was really rainy and cold. It was a different environment. I started at centre-back in a back three, we won 1-0 and went to the next stage. It was my debut, you know, so I had to perform and show that I can do something like help the team and play good.
First professional goal?
My first goal was on the opening day of the 2017/18 season at Asteras Tripolis. I made the score 2-0 and we won 2-1. It was a header from a corner, traditional for a centre-back. It’s a good feeling to score, especially as a defender!
First game for Greece?
My first game for my country was for Greece Under-21s, as before that I was never called to the national team. It was away in San Marino [in October 2017]. We won 5-0. I don’t really remember too much about this game, but I was a substitute and came on at half-time. My first senior game was a friendly game against Honduras played in Thessaloniki [in March 2021]. I started at centre-back and we won 2-1.
