GEORGE BALDOCK was tragically found dead in a swimming pool on Wednesday night in Athens.
Tributes poured in for the former Sheffield United star, who played more than 200 games for the Blades, and his family later released a statement following the devastating news.
It read: “We can confirm that George has sadly passed away. As a family we are in shock at this terrible loss.
“We ask please that the media respect our privacy at this time.”
Baldock, 31, had left the club in the summer to join Green giants Panathinaikos and many were surprised to learn he had won 12 international caps for Greece, despite being born in Buckingham and spending his entire career in England.
Why did George Baldock play for Greece?
Baldock qualified for Greece through his maternal grandmother.
The Greek football federation (EPO) had first tried to get Baldock in Blue in 2019, but Covid-19 and Brexit slowed the paperwork process to a grinding halt.
Former Chelsea and Tottenham star Gus Poyet was the man to finally call him to action and after making his first squad in 2022, Baldock said: “It is a real honour to represent Greece.
“This is a proud moment, not just for me, but for my entire family.
“It has been a possibility for a while, so I’m happy now to be in a position where I am available to play.
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“It is an exciting time ahead.”
He made his debut in a Nations League game against Northern Ireland on June 2, 2022 as a late substitute and then won made his first start two weeks later against the Republic of Ireland on June 16.
Ahead of that game, he was again asked the question about his decision to play in Blue and replied: “Everyone knows how proud I am.
“My grandmother was absolutely Greek, she would be proud to see me.
“I feel Greek, I came with my grandfather to Greece and as I said I feel proud when I wear the shirt.”
Dominating Mbappe, Premier League Iron Man, promotion hero: A tribute to George Baldock
By Kostas Lianos, Digital Sports Reporter
IT was back in 2019 when Greece legend Vasilis Torosidis – the heir to Euro 2004 hero Giourkas Seitaridis – retired from international duty after 101 caps.
A giant void was left behind at right-back, many talented players tried to step up – and none of them could fill those big boots.
But, soon enough, I started to hear whispers about a Premier League ace with Greek heritage who’s a starter week-in and week-out…
That was none other than George Baldock, born in Buckingham on March 9, 1993, to English parents but qualified for Greece through his grandmother.
And what a season he was having. The right-back starred for Sheffield United as they surprised the Prem in the 2019-20 campaign – their first in 12 years – by finishing in the top half of the table.
Baldock was among their standout players as he registered a staggering 3,420 minutes played – the joint highest along with the likes of Declan Rice and Virgil van Dijk.
The defender was keen to make the big step to the international stage with his grandmother’s homeland – and it didn’t take long until he shook hands with the Greek football federation (EPO) chiefs.
However, a long and arduous paperwork slog stood in the way – with the then Sheffield United star claiming Covid-19 and Brexit slowed things down.
Greece finally got the right-back they were begging for for years as Baldock made his debut on June 2, 2022 in a Nations League clash at Northern Ireland as a late substitute.
It didn’t take long until the English-born ace owned the right flank at the back and impressive performances followed.
Perhaps none compare to the Euro 2024 qualifier against France in June 2023 when Baldock did the unthinkable and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet for 104 MINUTES, despite being injured and playing through “unimaginable” pain.
I still remember speaking to then-Greece manager Gus Poyet about his player’s stunning performance, and I will never forget the big smile the Chelsea legend had on his face.
Poyet reminded me of a proud father as he took me through the injury hell the full-back endured before squaring up against perhaps the world’s best player for his country.
A beaming Poyet told me: “Against the Republic of Ireland [three days beforehand] – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to come out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?’
“At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.
“You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.
“Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.
“And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.”
It’s easy to understand how loyal Baldock was to every team he ever played for during his 15-year career, just by looking at his stats.
The Greek ace started his career at MK Dons in 2009 where he amassed a staggering 125 appearances throughout an eight-year stint that also saw him playing on loan for Northampton Town, Tamworth, IBV and Oxford United.
The defender joined Sheffield United in 2017 and registered a whopping 219 appearances in seven years that also saw him helping his team achieve two Premier League promotions.
Baldock’s work ethic and commitment was no different in Greece as he proudly stated two years ago: “To play for the national side is a great honour and a lot of pride involved for me and my family.
“Representing my country through my late grandmother, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I love the country and I will fight for every success”
Baldock never played for England at any level, but he always competed like a lion and he proved it on Sunday in his last ever match when he started for Panathinaikos, whom he joined in the summer, against eternal rivals Olympiacos in perhaps the most intense derby in Europe.
He served his team with honour as he helped them pick up a valuable point in a goalless draw against their in-form foes, who had just played their best game of the season with a 3-0 win over Braga in the Europa League a few days earlier.
He only managed 12 caps for Greece before his sudden and tragic death at the age of 31 on Wednesday in Athens.
But his fighting spirit and charisma at right-back with the white and blue, as well as his remarkable run in the Premier League and the Championship, show that he is leaving a legacy behind for many Greek and English fans to look up to.
He also stated in the past: “To play for the national side is a great honour and a lot of pride involved for me and my family.
“Representing my country through my late grandmother, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I love the country and I will fight for every success”
George Baldock career stats
George Baldock has tragically died aged 31
2009-2017 – MK Dons 125 games (2 goals)
2011 – Tamworth (loan) 3 (0)
2012 – IBV (loan) 18 (1)
2012 – Tamworth (loan) 15 (1)
2015-16 – Oxford United (loan) 47 (3)
2017-2024 – Sheffield United 219 (6)
2024 – Panathinaikos 4 (0)
How many times did George Baldock play for Greece?
Baldock eventually won 12 caps for the Ethniki.
He was not in the squad to face England and the Republic of Ireland in the next couple of weeks due to injury and won his final cap in the 4-2 penalty defeat to Georgia that knocked Greece out of the chance to play at Euro 2024.
However, he was considered Greece’s first choice and best right-back when fit and SunSport understands he was a very popular member of the squad.
His finest moment came in a 2-2 draw with France during the Euro 2024 qualification campaign, when he marked Kylian Mbappe despite a huge swollen ankle.
Then-manager Gus Poyet told SunSport at the time: “Against the Republic of Ireland [three days earlier] – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to coming out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?’
“At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.
“You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.
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“Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.
“And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
