The awarding of the “European Golden Boy Career Award” constitutes a great vindication of a long-term and ambitious vision that became reality for the leader of Olympiacos, Evangelos Marinakis. At the spectacular Gala organized on Monday evening (16/12) in Turin by Tuttosport, the President of the “Red-and-white” club stepped onto the stage to receive an honor unprecedented in Greek football.
Guido Vaciago, the Italian newspaper’s director and host of the event, addressed in Greek the man who envisioned and fully realized the football project to lead the “Legend” to conquer two peaks during the magical 2023-2024 season: “Congratulations, Mr. Marinakis!”
The man who inspired and created two magnificent teams, which left an indelible mark on European football in the season that concluded with winning the UEFA Europa Conference League and the Youth League. A significant distinction and a tribute from football Legends to the man who brought to life the greatest project ever created in Greece.
“Football is a passion; I cannot see it like a business”
During his award ceremony, Vangelis Marinakis, who with his passion has proven that nothing is impossible, initially stated:
«First of all, I would like to thank you for the invitation and the award. For us, as far as Italy is concerned, it happened that last season both our trophies, the Conference League was against Fiorentina and the Youth League was against the great team of Milan. So, it was something unique that has never happened before in Greece to win a European football title, but also in the history of UEFA a team to be able to win both the Conference League and also the Youth League at the same time. What we have done so far we started from Olympiacos, then it was Nottingham Forest, now we have also been involved with the Rio Ave team in Portugal. We are also looking at some other projects in Brazil».
Then, Mr. Marinakis referred to the role of Olympiacos’ Academies, emphasizing on the importance the team places on developing young talents.
«Of course, the competition is extremely difficult, especially when your opponents are able to spend billions of euros. And we have governments that are involved or big US funds that have been investing in football. So, in order to be competitive, you need to be quicker, you need to make the right choices of players, to spend a lot in the Academy and to be able to produce young players. On the other hand, for me, it is also about the passion involved in football and thus I cannot see it as only business. In Olympiacos we have in the first team 4 or 5 players from the Academy competing and even being better than the older ones, this is a big achievement for me and I think that all of us who love football we need to pay some special attention to the Academies to be able to produce players because this is also good for the local society, for our country, for our pride».
View this post on Instagram
When asked about Monza and his possible takeover of the club, he replied:
«Monza, we had some serious discussions with Mr. Berlusconi because we shared the same passion for football. Of course, he is not around anymore and this is very sad and, you know, for me it was a privilege to do some business or a joint venture with him. Of course, now it is not the same, but it was a team that -and also the personality of the partner that we would be with- that was very much appealing to me. So, now it’s a different story we might consider. We follow Italian football, we have sold players to Italian teams that have had great careers and we follow closely what you do. And you know, Olympiacos is the biggest Greek team as you know, and Nottingham Forest is one of the biggest teams with great history in England, so we like to be involved with teams that have huge crowds and we can make the difference and be worthwhile when we win trophies and have success».
The recognition of dedication
It was an evening filled with the brilliance of Greece. A significant international recognition for Evangelos Marinakis, for the remarkable achievements he has accomplished in football. Two European titles in the same season, which became a point of reference around the world. And when distinguished members of the “Council” of the Tuttosport awards include figures such as Andriy Shevchenko, Lothar Matthäus, Alessandro Costacurta, Pavel Nedvěd, and Lothar Matthäus, the distinction and significance of the award become even more noteworthy. It was the moment when football itself and its Legends rushed to offer this special distinction to an administrative figure, the only Greek executive to be honored with the “European Golden Boy Career Award” or an equivalent accolade.
