At the Astakos restaurant in Glyfada, an affluent Athens suburb, the gentle sway of fishing boats in the marina and the leisurely walks of couples along the beach paint a serene picture. The tranquillity here feels a world away from the bustle of central Athens, just a 20-minute drive away. It’s little wonder that English footballer George Baldock was drawn to this Greek Riviera after swapping Sheffield United for Panathinaikos. But the very apartment where he hoped to enjoy a relaxed life was where he was found dead last week; drowned in his pool in circumstances that remain unclear. The tragic death of the 31-year-old, who had made Greece his adopted home, has left the nation shaken and his death is being investigated by police.
There is an undeniable sense of shock and grief in Greece following Baldock’s untimely passing. Born in England, he had nevertheless become an integral part of Greek life, earning 12 caps for the national team after qualifying through his late grandmother’s lineage. His apartment door is lined with bouquets and heartfelt notes from fans and friends. One message reads, “Starman. From Sofia, your Athens Blade,” referencing the David Bowie song Sheffield United fans dedicated to him. Another says, “Yesterday’s Greek win was all for you,” a nod to Greece’s win against England on the day after his death. The football world has been rocked by his loss, with team-mates past and present struggling to process the shocking news.
Baldock remains much loved by his former teammates, both from England and Greece, who share heart-wrenching accounts of their last interactions with him. Baldock’s apartment, a stone’s throw away from the beach, was a gathering spot for friends who enjoyed his infectious energy and good-natured banter. His teammates recall him as someone who could bring any room together with a joke or a story. His Greece teammate Pantelis Chatzidiakos describes Baldock as a “great person” and recounts how Baldock often played on the national team despite not being 100% fit. Chatzidiakos expressed admiration for Baldock’s commitment to his adopted nation.
Baldock’s loss resonates particularly with those who had developed close friendships with him. Erik Palmer-Brown, the Panathinaikos and former US Men’s National Team defender, talks movingly of the sense of loss and emptiness his death has left behind. Similarly, Iceland international Hordur Magnusson, who used to drive Baldock back and forth to practice, talks about their shared experiences as new fathers and the bond they shared. In an emotional account, Magnusson recalls finding out about Baldock’s death, rushing to his apartment in disbelief, only to confront the shocking reality of his friend’s passing.
Particularly jarring for his former teammates have been the insensitive reports from some Greek media outlets sensationalising the circumstances of his death. The use of drone footage of the apartment after his death caused an uproar on social media, which resulted in an on-air apology from presenter Giorgos Liagas. But the controversy has done little to ease the grief of Baldock’s friends and colleagues. Despite the tragic news, Greece’s national team went ahead with their match against England, seeing it as an opportunity to pay tribute to Baldock. The Greece players dedicated the victory to his memory, in what was both a heartrending and heartwarming display of solidarity.
Now, Panathinaikos must grapple with the daunting task of returning to normalcy after such a profound loss. The first training session since Baldock’s death was fraught with grief, but the solidarity of the team is apparent. Despite the shared sorrow, there is a resolve to proceed, in part, for the memory of Baldock. His teammates say that they will play the rest of the season for him as a tribute to their fallen friend. With the support of the team and the country, they will collectively mourn, remember, and eventually carry on – for Baldock.
