From Chania to Thessaloniki with PAOK, and from there to Wolfsburg in Germany, Greek international footballer Konstantinos Koulierakis shared the story of his journey during an in-depth live interview held as part of an event organized by his representing agency, Prosport.
The discussion was hosted by journalists Vasilis Sambrakos and Lila Kountourioti.
During the conversation, Koulierakis spoke about the role of his family and the experiences that shaped him as both a footballer and a person:
“The hardest part was not for me, but for my mother. Seeing a child leave home at 13 or 14 to move to another city is not easy. For me, however, it was always my dream. I never had second thoughts.”
He added:
“My mother is always my first phone call. But my character — as a person and as a footballer — has largely been shaped by my father.”
Reflecting on his mindset, he noted:
“I never dreamed of playing a specific position. My dream was simply to play football. That’s why I did — and still do — whatever is necessary.”
Speaking about his development at PAOK, Koulierakis emphasized the importance of mental resilience:
“At PAOK you learn early on that there is no room for ‘it’s okay.’ You learn to handle pressure, otherwise you cannot survive at first-team level.”
On dealing with mistakes, he stated:
“Mistakes are the greatest teacher. If they bring you down, you’ll make more. You have to keep going.”
Explaining his decision to continue his career at VfL Wolfsburg, Koulierakis highlighted the importance of the right environment:
“I chose an environment that would help me work and develop. It’s a place that allows you to focus solely on football.”
He also expressed pride in representing the Greek National Team and confidence in its future.
The event was attended by the Secretary General of Sports, Mr. Giorgos Mavrotas, who underlined the broader role of sport in society and described athletes competing abroad as ambassadors of Greece.
The President of the Hellenic Football Federation, Mr. Makis Gagatsis, praised Koulierakis’ character, maturity, and potential, expressing confidence that his international move is only the beginning of an even greater career.
PAOK Academy General Director Vaggelis Pourliotopoulos highlighted Koulierakis’ discipline, consistency, and mental strength, emphasizing that his progress is the result of daily work rather than talent alone.
Additional tributes were shared by Christos Karipidis (PAOK Technical Director), Konstantinos Tsimikas (Greece National Team teammate), Lovro Majer (VfL Wolfsburg teammate), Sebastian Schindzielorz (former Wolfsburg Technical Director), and PAOK Head Coach Razvan Lucescu, who spoke warmly of Koulierakis’ character, work ethic, and dedication.
The evening included emotional moments, as Koulierakis’ parents shared stories from his childhood, reflecting on the values and support that accompanied his journey.
The event concluded on a lighter note with a football-themed challenge hosted by YouTuber Emilios Oikonomidis, followed by an open Q&A session with the audience.
Prosport Founder & CEO Paschalis Tountouris closed the evening by emphasizing that the relationship with Koulierakis is built on trust, patience, and long-term vision, describing his journey as a model for how a modern football career should be developed.
