Greek soccer legend and former South Melbourne star Kostas Nestoridis dies

·

The Greek soccer legend Kostas Nestoridis has died at the age of 93.

Well known as one of the best strikers at AEK Athens and in Greek football, Nestoridis died in Athens on Tuesday, December 12.

Born in Drama, Northern Greece on March 15, 1930, Nestoridis was the youngest of three children who came from a Pontian background.

In 1955, he played for Panionios FC. Although he had been offered a contract with two major Greek football teams, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, he rejected their offers to play for AEK, which links back to his refugee origins.

He signed the contract with AEK in 1957, where he played eight seasons with them. In his career, he achieved winning a Greek Championship playing for Greece’s national team, and winning the Greek Cup in 1964 for AEK.

Just over 10 years later, in 1966, Nestoridis moved to Australia in search for a better life and a more complete professional rehabilitation. He then signed a contract as a player-coach for South Melbourne Hellas.

Nestoridis was a key player in the South Melbourne team that won the league in 1966 and is still regarded by many as one of the best players to wear the Hellas shirt.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Panagia Soumela Monastery: Pilgrimage to the ancient cradle of Pontic Hellenism

Carved into Mount Melas in Trabzon, the Monastery of Panagia Soumela has stood proudly for over 1,600 years.

Memories that ‘bleed’: A visit to the Armenian Genocide Museum

The wine, the conversation with Maria and Aram, all pieces in the puzzle of my stay in Armenia’s capital had been carefully placed.

Australian Business Summit Council launch fifth issue of ‘Ekonomos’

The Australian Business Summit Council Inc. hosted 250 business leaders, diplomats and politicians at its lavish Annual Gala Dinner.

Dora and George Hatzikiriakos’ fish and chip shop among the best on NSW South Coast

The Eurobodalla on the NSW south coast is home to some of the best fish and chip joints. "Harzikiriakos' Ocean Grill is one of them.

Two Greek beaches among Tripadvisor’s top European beaches for 2024

Greece saw two beaches included in Tripadvisor’s Best Beaches in Europe for 2024, as part of its annual Travellers’ Choice Awards.

You May Also Like

‘Tsitsipas’ twists tongues to land on mispronounced words list

Stefanos Tsitsipas is one of the headline acts in tennis but, for some, simply saying his name is a challenge.

Fiona Martin MP calls for ‘critically significant’ reform of mental health system

Fiona Martin MP tells the Greek Herald that "every role within the mental health workforce needs to be reviewed" to improve accessibility.

From Moscow to Penrith: Ice skating duo set sights on Olympic dream

In April, Hektor Giotopoulos Moore and Anastasiia Golubeva became the third-ever Australian team to medal at a World Junior Championship.Â