256: Theo Zagorakis, Leicester City, Merlin’s Premier League 99 Official Sticker Collection

Today Emlyn Jones takes a look at a Greek footballing God who had a more than interesting career once his playing days were over. Alain Sutter might well have had a go at Jacques Chirac on a bedsheet but it’s fair to say he has been upstaged by today’s subject when it comes to political influence. I also doubt he braved a questionable Lee Sharpe gap year necklace for the team photo either. Over to Emlyn.

The worlds of football and politics don't often collide; however, there have been a number of players who have finished their on field careers and gone on to represent their countries in office. The highest profile are former World Footballer of the Year, Not Ali Dia's cousin, Chris Wreh's actual cousin, and now President of Liberia, George Weah; and king of the soccer field, and later king of being Extraordinary Minister for Sport, Pelé. Today's subject also had a spell in the political sphere, and is now President of the governing body of his country.

Theodoros Zagorakis signed with his local side Kavala in 1988, and helped the team rise into the second tier of Greek football; he was a combative midfielder who was also able to chip in with goals over the season. His form was sufficient to attract attention from the top tier, and PAOK swooped to sign him in 1992. He played over a hundred times for the club, being named captain in 1996, his performances strong even in the face of off-field turmoil as the club struggled with their finances. By the time Martin O'Neill's Leicester City had a bid accepted in 1998, Zagorakis had become a club hero, and left retaining the affection of the fans.

Zagorakis is also remembered fondly among the Leicester fans, his dedication in midfield helping the team to top half finishes in both seasons he played at the club, in both of which The Foxes reached the final of the League Cup. The first was to end in defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, however, the following season Zagorakis was able to pick up a winner's medal, albeit as an unused substitute, as Leicester beat Tranmere Rovers to lift the trophy. He also earned further fan affection by taking over in goal during a cup game against Crystal Palace after injuries to Tim Flowers and Pegguy Arphexad. However, Zagorakis was not a regular starter, and chose to return to Greece after two seasons and sign with AEK Athens. His return to Greece was successful, with the club winning the Greek Cup in 2002. However, the club struggled with finances, and he was allowed to leave at the end of the 2003/04 season, also accepting a reduced payment on his wages. He moved on to Bologna on a free transfer, but ahead of his debut he prepared to captain Greece at Euro 2004.

There were plenty of talking points about the tournament; The emergence of Wayne Rooney as an international player; Germany, Spain and Italy all being dumped out in the group phase; and most shockingly, Russia's presence after a cheating controversy in their playoff with Wales. Though this last one may have been talked about mainly by me. However, the overwhelming surprise was Zagorakis' Greece narrowly making it through their group at Spain's expense on goals scored, and then knocking out reigning champions France and the highly fancied Czech Republic on the way to setting up a rematch of the opening game of the tournament against Portugal. The captain galvanised his side, and in a shock to the watching world, a goal from Angelos Charisteas saw the Greeks lift the trophy. Zagorakis was named player of the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo cried.

Following a single season with Bologna, ending in relegation, Zagorakis returned to his former club PAOK and was greeted by fans as a returning hero. After two seasons, he announced his retirement, and took over as club president with the aim of helping the club clear its debts, which he was able to do. He left in 2012, following protests over the sale of a player. He then decided to move into politics, and stood for New Democracy in the 2014 European Parliament election, being elected to take his seat. However, in January 2020, he was removed as an MEP following his protests against a government decision to recommend the relegation of PAOK over an ownership dispute.

Zagorakis has now taken over as president of the Hellenic Football Federation. His political career may have stalled but he hasn't ruled out a return; to potentially join a number of his former peers in political roles, including Titi Camara, Romário and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Hopefully he'll have better luck than Hakan Şükür though, who now lives in exile after being accused of being part of a militia and slagging off President Erdogan on Twitter. Maybe it's no surprise the two worlds rarely mix.

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