Andreas Samaris facts for kids
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Samaris playing for Benfica in 2016
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 June 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Patras, Greece | ||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2006–2007 | Panachaiki | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2007–2010 | Panachaiki | 37 | (3) |
| 2010–2012 | Panionios | 49 | (1) |
| 2012–2014 | Olympiacos | 28 | (4) |
| 2012–2013 | → Panionios (loan) | 21 | (5) |
| 2014–2021 | Benfica | 132 | (5) |
| 2021–2022 | Fortuna Sittard | 20 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Rio Ave | 24 | (0) |
| 2023 | Coritiba | 4 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2007 | Greece U19 | 1 | (0) |
| 2013–2019 | Greece | 39 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 November 2023 | |||
Andreas Samaris, born on June 13, 1989, is a professional footballer from Greece. He plays as a midfielder, helping his team control the middle of the field.
He became well-known after winning the Super League Greece with Olympiacos in 2014. After this, he joined Benfica in Portugal. With Benfica, he won many important trophies. These included four Primeira Liga titles, one Taça de Portugal, two Taça da Liga, and two Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.
Samaris also played for the Greek national team from 2013 to 2019. He even represented Greece at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting in Greece
Andreas Samaris began his football journey in 2006 with Panachaiki. This team played in the Gamma Ethniki, which is a lower division in Greece. He played 37 league games for them and scored three goals.
In 2007, he signed his first professional contract with Panachaiki. His coach there was Ange Postecoglou, who later became the manager for the Australian national team. In 2010, Samaris moved to another Greek club, Panionios.
Time with Olympiacos
In 2012, Samaris joined Olympiacos, a very famous Greek club. However, he spent that season on loan back at Panionios. He returned to Olympiacos in 2013 and scored his first goal for them on November 23, 2013. This goal came in a 4–1 away win against Panthrakikos.
That season, Samaris played 38 games and scored four goals. His efforts helped Olympiacos win their 41st league title.
Moving to Portugal with Benfica
On August 22, 2014, Samaris moved to Portugal to play for Benfica, who were the champions of Portugal. He signed a five-year contract. He played his first game for Benfica on September 12 against Vitória Sétubal.
At the end of his first season, Samaris shared that learning Portuguese was a challenge. He said it was important to learn the language to connect with his teammates and understand his coach better.
On August 29, 2015, Samaris scored his first goal in the Primeira Liga, Portugal's top league. He scored from outside the box, helping Benfica win 3–2 against Moreirense. His Greek teammate Kostas Mitroglou assisted the goal. On April 1, 2016, he scored his second league goal with a direct free kick in a 5–1 win against Braga.
On March 4, 2017, Samaris played his 100th game for Benfica. That season, he also helped Benfica win the Taça de Portugal final against Vitória de Guimarães.
On March 11, 2019, Samaris scored a volley in a league match against Belenenses. This was his first goal of the 2018–19 season. On May 14, he extended his contract with Benfica until 2023. However, on August 31, 2021, Samaris and the club agreed to end his contract early.
Later Career Teams
After leaving Benfica, Samaris joined Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands on November 19, 2021. He made his debut for them on November 27, 2021, in a game against FC Groningen.
On August 29, 2022, Samaris returned to Portugal and signed a one-season contract with Rio Ave.
Most recently, on August 27, 2023, the Brazilian club Coritiba announced that Samaris had joined their team on a one-year deal.
International Career
Andreas Samaris also played for the Greece under-19 team. He made his debut in a qualifying match for the 2008 European Under-19 Championship against France.
In October 2013, he was called up to the Greek senior team by manager Fernando Santos. He played as a substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein. He also came off the bench in two play-off matches against Romania. Because he had a strong season with Olympiacos, Santos chose Samaris for the final 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
On June 24, 2014, Samaris played in his first World Cup tournament game against the Ivory Coast. He scored the first goal of the match in the 42nd minute after a mistake by an Ivory Coast player. This goal helped Greece win 2–1. Samaris had come into the game early because another player, Panagiotis Kone, was injured.
Honours and Achievements
With Olympiacos
- Super League Greece: 2013–14
With Benfica
- Primeira Liga: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19
- Taça de Portugal: 2016–17
- Taça da Liga: 2014–15, 2015–16
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2016, 2017
Images for kids
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Samaris playing for Benfica in 2016
See also
In Spanish: Andreas Samaris para niños
