Former AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas Footballer sent shock waves in a stunning comeback to Greek football with his five goals in just 34 minutes into his debut match for Pannaxiakos Football Club. This wholly unforeseen feat happened in the Kyklades FCA First Division, where his team sailed a commanding victory in a match between Pannaxiakos FC vs Marpissaikos.
A Legendary Comeback in Pannaxiakos Football Club
Returning to the home club, Pannaxiakos FC, after a successful 17-year career in European football, which began when he left the island of Naxos. A rock-solid defender in his days, Manolas started as a forward in the match between Pannaxiakos vs Marpissaikos and made some moves, which have never been seen earlier. That he should score five goals in such a short period shows that irrespective of his age and change of career, he remains a force to be reckoned with on the pitch.
“It’s not often you see a defender come back and score five goals in a game,” said Giorgos Mostratos, Pannaxiakos’ coach. “But Kostas is not your average player. He’s special.”
From Serie A Hero to Kyklades FCA First Division
Manolas reached global stardom in the five years he spent at AS Roma, having played over 200 matches for the Italian club. The most iconic moment was perhaps in the 2017-18 Champions League quarterfinal tie when he scored a headed winner in the 3-0 win over Barcelona as the Italian side came through to the semifinals from 4-1 down in the first leg.
Speaking about his homecoming to Greece, Kostas Manolas sent a clear message that this was no deal sealed by mere afterthoughts of times past. “I wanted to come back home, but I also wanted to contribute. This isn’t about reliving memories. It’s about making new ones,” said Manolas in the post-match interview.
Pannaxiakos vs Marpissaikos: A Match to Remember
Pannaxiakos vs Marpissaikos: A Match to RememberThe match between Pannaxiakos football club and Marpissaikos will definitely be included in the history of the Kyklades FCA First Division. This win testifies to the absolute dominance of Manolas and his team. Manolas had signed for the club only four days earlier, yet he was making his presence felt. This former Roma star needed less than any time available to locate the back of the net in this unfamiliar role of a forward. Indeed, within just 20 minutes, he scored a hat-trick, and by the 34th minute, he had scored two more, raising his tally to five and placing Pannaxiakos FC firmly in command of the match.
As his side went further ahead, Manolas was substituted just before halftime as coach Giorgos Mostratos wanted to preserve the star for future battles. Despite Pannaxiakakos’s manager substituting Manolas early, his impact had already sealed the match.
The final score does not only underlie Pannaxiakakos FC’s dominance but also the gigantic gulf between professional football and semi-professional competition. Seldom can one expect to see a Manolas-class player in a fourth-tier match, and even more unlikely is the feat of such a high-class player scoring five goals in such rapid succession.
Kostas Manolas Footballer: A Veteran’s Journey
A young Kostas Manolas left Pannaxiakos FC and went on to make a name for himself in Europe. He started first with AEK Athens, then with Olympiacos, putting up some good Champions League performances. Those eventually earned him interest from top European clubs, with the big-money transfer in 2014 to Roma.
In 2019, after five successful years in Serie A, Manolas moved on to Napoli at a price of €35 million, which did not make any difference to his consistently impressive displays. Later, after brief returns to Olympiacos and a spell with Sharjah of the UAE Pro League, his career arc finally saw him back home, where he decided to return home to Pannaxiakos FC.
“I’ve been blessed to play for some great teams, but coming back to where it all started feels right. I’m here to help Pannaxiakos succeed,” Manolas said.
What’s Next for Pannaxiakos FC?
Now, the questions are what’s in store for Pannaxiakos FC in the Kyklades FCA First Division and whether Manolas can keep this unbelievable streak going for the remainder of the season. Yes, the 12-1 win against Marpissaikos has been a statement of intent, but most definitely, Pannaxiakos’ journey through the league will face tougher challenges in weeks to come.
For now, though, the image of Manolas in Pannaxiakos’ shirt once more and sending his side into the next round with five goals alone is all excitement and optimism among the club’s faithful. His influence runs far deeper than his contribution on the pitch because he brings so much experience and leadership that gives invaluable depth to a team desiring to climb higher.
