Mimis Papaioannou dead aged 81: Tributes pour in for ‘greatest player in AEK Athens history’ after legend passes away
GREECE legend Mimis Papaioannou has passed away aged 81.
Tributes have poured in for the former AEK Athens star, who is regarded as their “greatest” player ever.
Papaioannou played for AEK between 1962-1979 and made 566 appearances for the club, scoring 289 goals.
The attacking midfielder won five league titles and three domestic cups.
He also helped AEK reach the Champions League quarter-final in 1969 and the Uefa Cup semi-final in 1977, beating QPR in the last eight.
Papaioannou is AEK’s all-time top goalscorer and he also represented the Greece national team 61 times, scoring 20 goals.
Tributes have poured in for the great, who has been remembered very fondly by fans.
One wrote: “A great loss for the AEK family. He will go down in history as the greatest footballer of all time in Greek football.”
Another added: “Condolences to the AEK organization. All Greek sports are mourning.
“His ethos and football wisdom make him unique. Your opponents loved him too. Have a nice trip Mimi, the soil that will cover you is light.”
A third said: “You are gone, you have flown to the skies, have a good journey, you will always be in the hearts of all Aektzis and Greek fans!
“A very great football player, a model athlete who was never dismissed and never cheered by the opponents. Have a nice trip my friend!!”
Another commented: “Eternal memory of this tremendous player….unlimited respect for the great man and athlete Mimi”