Biography
Who is Giorgos Karagounis?
Early life and beginnings in football
Giorgos Karagounis was born in Pyrgos, Greece, and spent his formative years growing up in the area of Ampelonas, Elis. His interest in the sport began locally with the Ampelonas FC youth setup. He eventually transitioned to the Paniliakos F.C. Youth system before a significant career opportunity arose.
In 1990, the talent scout Juan Ramón Rocha identified his potential. Rocha advised his family to enroll him in the Panathinaikos academy, which marked the beginning of his formal development as a professional athlete. This move proved crucial in shaping his future path within the sport.
Professional club career in Greece and Italy
His professional path officially started in 1996 when he joined Apollon Smyrnis on loan from Panathinaikos. During this two-season stint, he established himself as an energetic midfielder capable of scoring. In 1998, he returned to Panathinaikos, where he became a key first-team player for the next five years. He especially scored a memorable goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford during the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League campaign.
In 2003, he transferred to the Italian Serie A club Inter Milan. While his time in Italy saw him serve as a rotation player, he contributed to European and Coppa Italia matches. He was part of the squad that secured the 2004–05 Coppa Italia victory. Following his time in Italy, he moved to Portugal to play for Benfica for two seasons, where he eventually became a regular starter and fan favorite under manager Fernando Santos.
Return to Panathinaikos and Premier League years
In 2007, he returned to Panathinaikos for a second tenure, signing a three-year contract. During this period, he secured his reputation as a leader, eventually becoming the team captain. He helped the club secure a Superleague title and the Greek Cup. His dedication to the team was evident, and he famously expressed a desire to conclude his professional career with the club.
In 2012, he moved to England to join Fulham in the Premier League. He made his debut against Manchester City and later scored his first English goal in the FA Cup against Blackpool. Despite battling some muscle issues during his second season with the Cottagers, he remained involved until his departure in 2014. He officially retired from the sport following the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
International achievements with Greece
Giorgos Karagounis maintained a long and distinguished career representing the Greece national team from 1999 until 2014. He captained the under-21 squad to the 1998 UEFA European Championship final. His most significant international achievement was winning the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament, where he famously scored the opening goal against Portugal.
Throughout his tenure, he played in multiple major tournaments, including UEFA Euro 2008, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2012, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. With 139 appearances for his country, he holds the record as the most capped player in the history of the Greece national football team.
Birthday and age
Giorgos Karagounis was born on March 6, 1977, which makes Giorgos 49 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Giorgos shares the date with 29 other famous people.
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