Michalis Kritikopoulos: « Immortal » with the jersey

The name of Michalis Kritikopoulos is inextricably linked to Olympiacos, not only because he was a player who offered a lot to the Piraeus team. There is one more reason that will forever connect Cretan with the Reds and he is nothing more than his last breath on the pitch, wearing the laurel -lazy teenager.

Red to the last breath, red forever. Cretanopoulos wore the Olympic jersey for seven years and his performance with reds are indicative of his potential. He was a scoring scorer and although he was not big, he had a great deal of ability to score with head. So it’s no coincidence that everyone was saying that he could send the ball into the nets in a thousand ways and especially with his head.

The years were difficult and with his brothers he went out to biopal early. His first job was a plumber but love for football always drove him in the afternoons on the pitch

The orphanage and the first job

Michalis Cretanopoulos was born on January 3, 1946 and lost his father at an early age and more specifically when he was 11 years old. The years were difficult and with his brothers he went out to biopal early. His first job was a plumber, but his love for football always drove him in the afternoons. Michalis had a dream of becoming a footballer and did it, even having a stunning career. His teenage years were not easy as he had to combine work and football, but he did it famous, thanks to his perseverance and patience.

The start in Caesarea

From an early age, as mentioned above, his love for football appeared as … all the roads were led to the stadiums. In 1962 he fought for GS Caesarian and what he did on the pitch and brought the first transfer for Cretan. Things had taken their… career and Michalis would write a golden story as one of the most capable scorer in the history of Greek football. Panayialio’s president, Asterios Blas, learned about the little one in Caesarea and decided to take him to his team. Michalis went to Aigio and two years later transferred to the National. Everyone was talking in the best words about Cretan and the capabilities he had in scoring, which was confirmed both in the player’s term in National and of course at Olympiacos.

Record amount

Olympiacos in 1973 was transferred to Michalis Kritikopoulos from Ethnikos, with Nikos Goulandris giving the record for that time to the National. It was a transcript that had shaken the waters of Greek football and Olympiacos incorporated a powerful who would help him very much.

The Reds gave 9 million drachmas to the National to get the 27 -year -old Cretan then and the money took place. One can easily talk about one of the best transcripts of reds and this is not an exaggeration. Michalis made impressive appearances with Olympiacos, loved by the Reds fans and became a member of a legendary team that wrote a golden story.

The barrage in Volos

Michalis Kritikopoulos debuted with Olympiacos in Volos and what should be noted is that he scored a goal in his maiden appearance with the Reds. The story brought them so, when Michalis last fought with Olympiacos’ jersey again in Volos. More specifically in the 1980 barrage with Mars, for the promotion of the 1979-1980 champion.

Olympiacos defeated the Thessaloniki team 2-0 and won the title, with Cretan bidding farewell to the legendary champion. After the mythical career in the Olympiacos team, Cretanopoulos competed for a year in Apollo and then hung his shoes.

Ready to send the ball into the net with its own unique style. Michalis Cretanopoulos was a fear of any defense

Golf

Cretan was a charismatic scorer and in his great career scored 176 goals, a performance that is characterized as impressive and ranks Olympiacos’ old ace on the list of top scorers in Greek football. He scored 84 goals with Olympiacos’ jersey, 79 with that of the National and nine with Panayialio. He also scored four times playing Apollo, in the last season of his career. What needs to be noted and is undoubtedly particularly important is the ability of Cretan in scoring with head.

He was not tall, but he had a good jump and always had a good place in the opposing area, which allowed him to have the advantage over defenders. The ability to score with his head raised him at great risk for any defense in foul and corner. Everyone was looking for Cretan and if the cross was good, the rest was … Michael’s job. He won three championships and two cups with the Olympic jersey and was particularly loved by Reds fans.

The last breath

What is certain is about the bond that Michalis had with the Reds, and this is of course evident from his presence in the club’s veterans team. Always present in the games given by Olympiacos veterans and in such a match in Andros on July 20, 2002, he left his last breath on the pitch, wearing the legendary jersey.

The game took place for the inauguration of the Ioannis Goulandris stadium and the legend’s veterans faced Olympic Andros in a friendly friend. Cretanopoulos fell on the pitch about the 25th minute of the match and despite the efforts of the doctors, he left his last breath. He had been a few minutes earlier to do what he was … his old art sieve, that is, to score, wearing the reds. He suffered an acute myocardial infarction and died at the age of 56.

The stadium

The Municipal Stadium of Kaisariani bears the name « Michalis Kritikopoulos », as the municipality wanted to honor the memory of the top footballer the city has made, giving the name of the legendary Olympiacos player on the pitch. What is certain is about the love of the world of the Reds in Cretan, recognizing the player’s enormous offer to their team.