Kostas Manolas

At 32 years old, Kostas Manolas has this physical status:

Club career

Manolas began his youth at Thrasyvoulos in 2007. Stelios Manolas, the AEK Athens' technical director at the time, was scouting his nephew at a youth match with AEK boss Duan Bajevi in 2009 and was captivated by his results.

Manolas signed a three-year contract with AEK on June 16, 2009. Manolas said after signing, "I am very happy to support the club I love," says the club's captain, and "I hope I will be a hero at the club like my uncle and end my time with the club as well as ending my career at AEK." He made his debut against AO Kavala and was named man of the match. "It's a dream to play for the team I love," the player said after the game. During the following week against PAOK, Manolas was also rewarded with man of the match awards. In five of his first seven matches, Manolas was named man of the match in five of them.

On May 19, 2010, Manolas scored his first professional goal against Olympiacos, the archrivals of Olympiacos. Despite playing with a broken jugal bone in the first minute of the game, he scored in the sixth minute but then left the game in the 15th minute. Despite being requested by his uncle Stelios Manolas, he refused to be admitted to the hospital before the game was over. He underwent a fruitful three-hour surgery the next day, recovered, and quickly returned to training sessions.

Manolas was a key figure for AEK Athens in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League, but also in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League, which attracted the attention of several European teams, including Genoa, Udinese, Getafe, and Schalke 04. AEK defeated Hajduk Split 2-1, securing the victory for the Greek side. Manolas scored a very important goal against them. Manolas returned to the back of the net for the second week in the Greek Cup, this time against AEL, which AEK would later win. His stellar results convinced then Athens coach Manolo Jiménez that he earned him a spot in the starting lineup, causing Real Madrid loanee David Mateos to be moved to the substitutes' bench.

While playing alongside AEK legend and UEFA Euro 2004 champion Traianos Dellas, Manolas' development soared while supporting him in the press. "It's an honor to play alongside such a versatile player like Dellas," she wrote to the world. His experience has helped me become more comfortable with the ball and the decisions I make in the game. I've learned a lot from him, and he's basically like a mentor to me, who I look forward to."

Manolas captured the Greek Cup for the first time in his career on April 30. He was instrumental in winning the trophy and was consistent throughout the match against Atromitos, where he stopped an opponent off his line at one point. Manolas has since been honoured as man of the match for his outstanding appearance. "It's a dream for me to win a trophy with my childhood club AEK," Manolas said after the 0–3 win, and I hope there are many more to come." He appeared in 36 games during the 2010-11 season, scoring three goals.

Manolas signed a three-year deal with AEK on July 11, 2011, extending his involvement with the club until 2014. His salary was worth €900,000 a year, as well as bonuses that could reach up to €1.4 million. Despite being attracted by major European teams Werder Bremen, Sevilla, Wolfsburg, and Hamburger SV, Manolas renewed his contract. Manolas decided to work with AEK on a €4 million buyout agreement for foreign teams as well as a a €10 million buyout provision for Greek teams.

Manolas expressed surprise to the world shortly after signing the deal, saying, "I am so thrilled that I am going to continue playing for my team and it is an honor to wear the AEK Jersey for the next three years with my childhood club." Despite the club's dire financial challenges, I applaud AEK President Stavros Adamidis who believes in me and turned down great offers from European clubs to hold me at the club. My goal now is to be the team's captain and win the league, just like my uncle Stelios Manolas, who did this before joining AEK."

Manolas started the season off well, defeating Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi in their first competitive match of the 2011–12 season, winning by a 1–0 victory. Manolo Jiménez had lauded him greatly. In a 0–1 away victory over Panionios, Manolas scored his first goal of the season. Jiménez, who had been chastised in recent weeks for his team's poor results, was given the goal. In a 1–3 away victory over Austrian club Sturm Graz in the Europa League, Manolas scored his first goal for AEK Athens. Everton's young center back showed sincere interest in the young centre back, with team manager David Moyes stating, "Manolas has a lot of talent and is a player for the future." It was reported that AEK and Everton had agreed on a contract to sell Manolas to Everton on January 30, 2012. Manolas, however, turned down the bid as he felt he would leave his team in a bad situation since the club would only have three center backs in the squad: Traianos Dellas and Elfar Freyr Helgason after loanee Cala's removal, who was recalled back to his club Sevilla. "It was Manolas who declined the bid, not AEK," AEK Chairman Stavros Adamidis said. He had been playing in all competitions for 85 goals (6 goals).

Manolas joined Olympiacos on a free transfer until June 30, 2016, after his deal with AEK Athens came to an end. "I am so glad that I'm here in Olympiacos, and I can't wait to wear the red and white shirt in front of a full Karaiskaki and our supporters," Manolas said. The departure of one of the club's key players as a result of a time when AEK was struggling to pay crippling debts was yet another major blow. AEK was only allowed to purchase and sell Greek players up to the age of 22 and was forbidden from purchasing international players as a result of failing to adhere to the Greek Super League's financial rules. Any player who had signed a contract with the club was allowed to renew their player's, so if their top earners would continue to work at a club that has a tradition of failing to pay player salaries will be seen. In addition, AEK had been barred from participating in the Europa League this season by the Hellenic Football Federation, with their position taken by Asteras Tripolis.

Manolas scored his first goal against PAS Giannina on September 15 in a 1–2 away victory, then scored his first goal for his new side against Skoda Xanthi in a 4–0 home win. During the season, Manolas appeared 24 times for Olympiacos in the Olympiacos, assisting them in winning the Superleague. He played in the Greek Cup Final against Asteras Tripoli on May 11, winning 3-1 to clinch a league and cup double for the season.

According to reports in Greece, English clubs Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland, and Fulham were all keeping an eye on Manolas ahead of the January transfer window. According to Gazzetta.gr, Manolas had captured the attention of Premier League scouts since moving to Olympiacos on a free transfer from AEK last summer. Manolas may have been interested in a move to the Premier League to press his case for continued participation in Greece's national team manager Fernando Santos' plans, with Greece finishing second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, Manolas was unlikely to consider any move that could end his chances of first-team football. After announcing the former's departure from Old Trafford to Internazionale at the end of 2013, Rio Ferdinand, United's other starting central defender, left United outsiders short of experience in central defense, it was also reported that after confirming the latter's departure from the latter's departure from 2013-14 season to Internazionale. Moyes would be fired immediately, and rumors of a move had already ceased.

In a 1–0 home win over Benfica in the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League, Manolas scored his first goal for Olympiacos, laying the groundwork for the next round. He scored his second goal in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, but the team also secured a spot in the round of 16—the first time the club has been to the stage since 2009–10—in matchup against Manchester United. Manolas believes the Greek champions had what it takes to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the second time in a row: "I think we will give a good show." I'm hoping Manchester United will not get better than they are right now so we can defeat them." Olympiacos lost in the first leg 2–0 at home as a result of a hat-trick by Manchester United's Robin van Persie's hat-trick in the return leg, which ended in a 3–2 on aggregate.

Manolas' deal with Olympiacos lasted another year on March 22, 2014, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2017. In all competitions, the Olympiacos had 73 appearances (6 goals, 2 assists).

Manolas' signing was announced on August 27, 2014 by Italian Serie A side Roma for a €15 million fee. "I had offers from a number of major clubs, including Juve," Manolas said upon joining Roma. But it was my decision to move to Roma. I wanted to go to Roma, so I did. Several people told me good things. What brought me here is their information and my decision. The club has a lot of aspirations. Both myself and the entire team want to win the Scudetto. We should also go far in the Champions League," says the narrator.

Manolas made his official debut for Roma over the weekend, defeating Fiorentina 2–0 in the 2014-15 Serie A season's first game. He made his first European appearance with Roma in the Champions League on September 17th as they cruised to a 5–1 victory over CSKA Moscow. Manolas was sent off in a match against Juventus on October 5th for retaliation after being fouled by lvaro Morata, who was sent off as well. Manolas was barred from two games for his involvement in the altercation by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

Manolas' first year with his club drew crows' attention from several other European nations, including Premier League giants Arsenal, but Manolas' agent, Mino Raiola, said the player was not involved in investigating the rumors: "Kostas is a Roma player, so anyone interested in him would have to call the club." The lad has a contract until 2019, and that is all I can say. Roma paid a lot for him, which means they have a lot of hopes for him."

Manolas had an excellent first season in Serie A, putting him right at the forefront of manager Rudi Garcia's defense as his team finished second in the league table. Arsenal sold Roma £15 million for the player, who had been trying to sign last summer before being defeated by Roma in the ensuing close season. Manolas was named the team's "best purchase of the season" after winning 56% of the vote in front of the likes of Seydou Keita (18%) and Juan Iturbe (8%) on June 19th, a Roma fan poll.

Manolas took the Roma de facto leader of the Roma Defense from his campaign in 2015-2016. Chelsea boss José Mourinho tried to bring the Greek international to Stamford Bridge the previous season, and the New Year will be a try for both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, according to Tuttomercatoweb. Manolas praised his team's tactical results on September 17, 2015, following their 1–1 home draw against 2014–15 Champions League champion Barcelona. "We've been doing well in defense, and I think it's a big step for the team," he told Sky Sports. Roma's undefeated start to the season came after losing 2–1 away at Sampdoria, with Manolas scoring his own goal on September 23.

Roma comfortably defeated newly promoted side Carpi 5–1 on September 26th, Manolas scored his first goal in the 2015-16 Serie A. Lucas Digne's clever help with his right boot stood out in the box against Carpi's Gabriel Silva, who opened the scoring.

Manolas brought Andrea Belotti inside the area, whereupon Maxi López converted the subsequent 94th-minute penalty kick in a thrilling 1-1 away draw against Torino in domestic league action on December 5th. Despite replays that the Greek defender may have had the ball in the contest, the referee nevertheless gave the penalty. Manolas and teammate Miralem Pjani were locked in a spat between BATE Borisov, Belarusians Borisov, on December 11th, where they were involved in a contest between the two teams. The two players continued their war into the team's locker room, as La Gazzetta dello Sport announced. Despite the Spanish giants Real Madrid's 2–0 home loss on February 17, he was the indefutable leader of the defense team in a 1st leg UEFA Champions League game for the last 16. Throughout the game, Manolas closed down Karim Benzema quite well. The majority of the low crosses were handled by him, but he was unable to do anything about the two goals. Manolas scored his second goal of the season on Sunday in a match against Torino F.C. on April 20th.

Despite every summer rumors surrounding Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Chelsea's concern regarding the Greek defender, coach Luciano Spalletti has maintained that the international defender is happy at A.S. Roma and will remain at the club. Arsenal were so dissatisfied with Roma's conduct during the talks that they later refused to welcome Jack Wilshere on loan. Manolas' de facto leader of the Roma defence began the 2016-17 campaign.

In September 2016, A.S. Roma was obligated to pay the sum of €6.5 million to Olympiakos for the international defender. Roma did not want to sell the Greek defender this summer because Olympiakos had a 50% next percentage sale until this August. Roma also turned down a bid from Arsenal for Manolas in the region of €39 million, but the player stayed put. Olympiakos will now be paid the €6,5 million fee by Roma, and Roma will implement the provision granting the player 100% of the contract. Manolas is regarded as the best marker of 'calcio,' and Barcelona has been tracking him for a long time. The Greek national has always been on a shortlist of defenders for whom Barcelona has been interested. They had the option to buy Manolas at the summer of 2017. Thomas Vermaelen's loan to Roma was a big move for him. He scored his second goal, his second goal, a 2–1 home win over Inter, as well as making Inter captain Mauro Icardi disappear. Despite the fact that the leadership was willing to raise the salary of the Greek center from €1.8 million to €2.5 million a year, Manolas turned down A.S. Roma's plan on the extension of his deal, which is set to expires in 2019. According to reports, the 25-year-old international player saw that almost 12 players received a higher salary than his predecessor, and now wants a better deal.

In a 4–1 home win Serie A game against Palermo on October 23, Manolas' jersey of Roma made 100 appearances in a 4–1 home win Serie A match against Palermo. The Greek defender simply covered every possible hole in AS Roma's 0–0 away draw against Empoli on October 31th, leaving the Greek defender without a Europa League match against FK Austria Wien and a Serie A match against Bologna at the Olimpico, according to Giallorossi. Manolas demonstrated his unstoppable ability in both predicting and blocking his opponents on December 4, 2016, making Balde Diao Keita and Ciro Immobile a difficult afternoon. Roma's center-back trio had a superb showing on December 13, 2016, notably Manolas and Federico Fazio, who combined 15 clearances, 11 interceptions, and won 12 duels. As he helped Radja Nainggolan's 1–0 winner against A.C. Milan, Manolas' impact went beyond defensive duties. Manolas, according to doctors' report, would be out for about two weeks after suffering yet another injury in Roma's 1–0 loss to Juventus on December 18. Manolas was forced to leave in the later stages of Juventus Stadium, and the defender will now miss Roma's match against Chievo due to a fractured nose and muscle strain this season. In a 1–0 away victory over Genoa on January 8, 2017, he returned to the squad as a late replacement. Manolas and Diego Perotti took a step away from putting their hands on them during training on May 25th, 2017 a week before the season's end. To prevent the worst from happening, only the provisional involvement of teammates, as well as Luciano Spalletti's decision to bring them to the dressing room without even finishing the training, helped to ease the tension.

Despite a potential transfer to FC Zenit following teammate Leandro Paredes, Manolas remained at Roma for the 2017-18 season. In a 2–1 away victory over Qaraba FK in the UEFA Champions League Group stage on September 27, 2017, he started scoring in a 2–1 away victory.

On December 2, 2017, the Greek national signed his Giallorossi contract until 2022, with a release clause set at €35 million. During the Serie A match against Napoli that took place at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on October 15, the Greek defender was suspended. The Greek defender was out for almost a month due to a Grade I strain of his left adductor longus (thigh) muscle. In a thrilling 3–0 Champions League home game against Chelsea F.C. on October 31, 2017, he rejoined the team. In a 4–2 away victory over Fiorentina on November 5, he scored his first goal in 2017-18 season from an Edin Deko assist.

With a header over Torino F.C. on March 9, 2018, he scored the first goal in a 3–0 victory. Following a corner, Alessandro Florenzi assisted with a cross. Manolas collapsed to his knees and gazed into the heaven in honor of Davide Astori, the Fiorentina captain who died on March 4th. Manolas scored Roma's second own-goal after a close call against FC Barcelona on April 4th, 2018–18 Champions League quarter finals 1st leg 1st leg 2nd leg. However, Manolas more than compensated for the 1st leg's triumph over the Blaugrana in the return leg's 3–0 triumph, sending Roma to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1984. Manolas captained his first match against SPAL in Serie A on April 21, 2018 after receiving the armband from his teammate Radja Nainggolan.

The 26-year-old center-back was one of Roma's most consistent players over the course of the season, and he was also a solid figure in the Italians' defense.

Despite the annual summer rumors surrounding his potential departure from the club, Manolas remained in Roma for his fifth season, aiming to win his first title with the club during the 2018-19 season. Manolas scored against Atalanta on August 27, 2018, triggering Javier Pastore's chipped free kick at the far post, bringing Roma's season back from 3–1 down to 3–3 at the Stadio Olimpico. Manolas scored from close range on Saturday, placing the ball high and in the center of the field, assuaging his club's victory over CSKA Moscow in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. After his outstanding results, he was chosen in the UEFA Champions League's team of the week the following day. During Greece's 1–0 victory over Finland on November 15, Manolas was forced to leave due to a blow to his adductor magnus muscle in his leg. He underwent scans to determine the severity of the illness, but it's unlikely that he'll return to fitness in time. Since the Italian took over the reins in the summer, Manolas has been at the forefront of Eusebio Di Francesco's defense. Manolas made his 200th appearance in all competitions with Roma in the second leg of the club's 16 UEFA Champions League match against FC Porto on March 6, 2019; Manolas played the full 120 minutes as Roma lost 3–1 at home on Sunday, excluding the Champions League. The 27-year-old's muscle had strained a muscle and will miss three weeks of action, indicating that he will not be allowed to compete in his country's UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier matches against Liechtenstein and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Manolas was close to leaving Napoli on June 27 after Roma and the Neapolitan club agreed to a transfer for the Greek defender. With annual income of €4.5 million (including bonuses), Manolas has agreed to a five-year deal with the latter club. Napoli's official purchased the defender for €34 million plus a €2 million signing-on fee, effectively activating his release clause. Roma also purchased defensive midfielder Amadou Diawara for €18 million plus €3 million in add-ons in the deal between the two Italian sides. Manolas had also been linked to Juventus, Milan, and Arsenal. On June 30, he officially signed for Napoli.

He made his club debut on August 24th, starting with a 4–3 victory over Fiorentina. In a thrilling 4–3 away loss to Juventus last week, he scored his first goal for the club, netting a goal with a header after a stunning free kick from Mário Rui a week later. After Nikola Maksimovi's corner, Manolas scored his second goal of the season on September 28 with a header, helping his team win their second game against Brescia.

Manolas was included in the Roma Team of the Decade on December 31.

Manolas won a 2–1 home victory over Torino on Sunday, thumping a header into the net to put Napoli ahead.

Manolas was the first Napoli player to get hurt after training resumed following Italy's COVID-19 pandemic on May 16th. His club did not specify how long he would be out for, but Corriere dello Sport' announced that he would miss six weeks.

Manolas was a starter in a 2–0 away victory over Parma on September 20th.

Manolas had sustained a first-degree muscle injury on January 12, 2021, according to Napoli. After 15 minutes of the Partenopei defender's victory over Udinese, Nikola Maksimovic was recalled.

Manolas will be out for three weeks as a result of a second-degree sprain and fractured the ligament in the right ankle, according to Napoli on February 8th. The Greek defender was activated at the Marassi and undertook experiments at the Pineta Grande clinic. On March 3rd, he came back to the squad as a late replacement against Sassuolo but Sassuolo conceded a late penalty that ended the game in a 3-3 draw.

Olympiacos had begun talks with Napoli for the acquisition of Manolas in August 2021, with the player advising the club that he wanted to return to Greece. Despite the transfer rumors, he was a starter in the season's first Serie A match against Venezia.

Manolas sustained an injury during Napoli's Europa League match against Legia Warsaw on October 21, 2021. With a suspected muscle injury, he was forced off the field in the 72nd minute. Manolas expressed his desire to leave the club in December 2021, after losing his spot in the starting lineup to Amir Rrahmani. He made his first appearance in nearly two months as a late replacement in a 3–2 home win game against Leicester City in the Europa League on December 10th.

Napoli announced an agreement for the transfer of Manolas to Olympiacos in January 2022 on December 16, 2021. According to reports, the contract was worth €2.5 million. Manolas had worn his last game of the Greek Cup against PAOK in April 16, 2014, and eight years later, he came on as a replacement in the game against Apollon Smyrni in Georgios Kamaras Stadium, replacing Avraam Papadopoulos.

Manolas joined Emirati club Sharjah in late September 2022.

International career

Following a steady stretch of form, Manolas, former Greece national team manager Otto Rehhagel, called Manolas up for the 30-man provisional World Cup squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but he failed to qualify for the final 23-man squad. Manolas will wait for nearly three years before making his international debut against Switzerland in a friendly. Manolas' solid 2013–14 season with Olympiacos earned him a spot in the tournament's final 23-man squad. For the first time in history, it was in Brazil where the center-back captured the world's attention, with a string of imperious performances that brought Greece to the knockout stages of the tournament. As the Greeks ultimately fell to Costa Rica, he was selected by The Independent as one of the top players at the World Cup.

During an ugly brawl between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Greece on September 9, Manolas and his Roma colleague Edin Dzeko came to a halt. Following the final whistle, many players and members of staff clashed, the game came to an end.

Manolas scored his first goal with Greece on September 12, leaping over his marker to head a free kick in a 2–1 away loss against Hungary in the Nations League.

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