ATHENS, Greece — The legendary Greek soccer player Mimis Domazos, who famously captained Panathinaikos during the 1971 European Cup final, has passed away at the age of 83. The club announced the news on Friday, though they did not disclose the specific cause of his death. Reports from Greek media indicate that Domazos was hospitalized after experiencing cardiac arrest, which occurred on Wednesday, the day he celebrated his 83rd birthday.

In a heartfelt tribute, Panathinaikos described Domazos as the “emblematic ‘General’ of our club,” acknowledging his remarkable achievements and lasting influence in the world of soccer. The team expressed that his legacy will inspire future generations, stating, “He was the best of the best, an eternal role model, the most beloved captain, the player nobody wanted as their rival.”

Mimis Domazos dedicated 20 seasons to Panathinaikos, including 13 seasons as captain, during which he secured nine league championships. He led the team, under the guidance of renowned coach Ferenc Puskás, to the European Cup final held at Wembley Stadium in 1971. This historic match marked the first and only time a Greek club reached a European competition final until Olympiakos triumphed in the Europa Conference League last season.

In the final, Panathinaikos faced Ajax and suffered a 2-0 defeat. Ajax went on to dominate European football, winning three consecutive European Cup titles, employing a style of play known as “total football,” inspired by coach Rinus Michels and star player Johan Cruyff.

Domazos also had an impressive international career, serving as the captain of the Greek national team from 1959 to 1977, before making a final appearance in 1980, which marked his 50th cap for Greece. UEFA recognized Domazos’ contributions to the sport, stating that he was “one of the best players in Greek footballing history.” Theodore Theodoridis, UEFA’s general secretary, praised him, stating, “Mimis Domazos was a true icon of Greek football who inspired us with his extraordinary talent and leadership on the pitch.”