Mimis Domazos

Dimitris "Mimis" Domazos (Δημήτρης "Μίμης" Δομάζος, born 22 January 1942) is a Greek former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

His nickname was "The General" ("Ο Στρατηγός").

Domazos is considered to be one of the best footballers that Greece has ever produced.

He was famed for his dribbling ability, his creative playstyle, especially his through balls of pinpoint accuracy and his leadership skills.

He was the Panathinaikos captain for over 15 years.

The IFFHS chose him in the best XI of all time of Greek football in 2021.

Domazos was born on 22 January 1942 in Ampelokipoi, and grew up next to the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium.

His father was a health worker originally from Samos and his mother a nurse of Asia Minor origin.

From a young age he played ball in the fields of the area and at the age of 13 he took out a sport's card for the Amyna Ampelokipoi in 1953, declaring a false age in order to be able to compete.

Soon his fame began to spread and he attracted the interest of Panathinaikos.

In 1958, the then coach of the "greens", Svetislav Glišović, saw him play and impressed by his moves on the pitch, recommended his acquisition.

Domazos made his unofficial debut with Panathinaikos in a friendly match against AEK Athens for the Christmas Cup, which was held on December 26, 1958 and ended in a 2–0 defeat.

He played as a right winger and impressed spectators and experts of the sport with his football skills.

In the summer of 1959, he officially joined Panathinaikos at the age of 17 "for a suit and an orange juice", as he had stated.

Despite his small stature, Domazos gradually managed to impose himself on the players of that era.

His terrific passing, incredible assists and leadership earned him the respect of teammates and opponents, as well as the admiration of the fans.

Most of the team's attacks went through his feet.

Like a "maestro", with his clever play he orchestrated an entire team.

Soon, the people of Panathinaikos gave him the nickname "The General", which followed him throughout his football career.

In his first three seasons, he won the same number of championships.

He scored in the game that secured the last one in 4 June 1961 in a 3–3 draw against Panionios.

On 26 November 1961 Mimis Domazos scored 4 goals in the 5–2 away win against Proodeftiki and became the first player of the club to score a four goals in an official match.

He became the captain of the "greens" for almost 15 years.

He formed a great attacking duo with his teammate and best friend, Antonis Antoniadis.

In the Cup final in 1969 he scored a free kick against Olympiacos and after the 1–1 at the extra time, at a flip of a coin, he chose correctly and his team was awarded the title.

He was Ballon d'Or nominee in 1969 and 1971.

Domazos won at Panathinaikos an impressive 9 Championships, 3 Cups and 1 Balkan Cup, including 2 domestic doubles in 1969 and 1977.

He led Panathinaikos, under Ferenc Puskás, to the Final of the European Cup at Wembley Stadium against Ajax on June 2, 1971 where they lost 2–0.

In December of the same year, he also participated in the 2-legged final of the Intercontinental Cup against Nacional where they lost 3–2 on aggregate.

On March 17 1974, in a decisive derby against Olympiacos, Domazos scored a stunning bicycle kick and equalized in the final 1–1.

Another remarkable moment of his career was in 1977 where Panathinaikos won the Balkans Cup, even though he did not compete in the double final against Slavia Sofia.

As a player with a strong personality on and off the field, he did not hesitate to clash with anyone within the team, as in 1978 the conflict with the administrative agent Antonis Mantzavelakis occurred.

So after 498 games in Panathinaikos, 134 goals and 19 years in the team, he parted ways with the "greens", while he was called a "finished player".

The owner of AEK Athens, Loukas Barlos did not miss the golden opportunity and immediately approached Domazos.

Barlos, before signing him, called the other legend of the Greek football and captain of the club, Mimis Papaioannou to his office to get the required "approval" for the huge transfer.

Papaioannou didn't think twice about it and agreed.

Domazos was what the club was missing to orchestrate the attack of Bajević-Mavros.

With all those stars gathered in the same roster the club played amazing football, while he also had the chance to work again under his former coach, Puskás.

He had an amazing first season with 29 appearances and 5 goals and proved wrong the people who called him "finished", as in AEK he was a model of professionalism.

He scored his first goals in a brace against PAOK, in 10 September 1978.