After gaining a regular starting spot with Greek Super League team Panionios’, Greek Australian midfielder Peter Makrillos is loving his football and is aiming for a Socceroos call up.
Makrillos’ second season in the Greek Super League was initially disrupted by injury but in the last two months the 23- year-old has nailed down a regular starting spot for Panionios.
The Sydney born youngster signed with the Athens based Greek Super League club in January 2018 after stints with NSW NPL clubs Rockdale City and Sydney Olympic.
Last season the talented midfielder made eight appearances in Greece including playing PAOK in the semi-final of the Greek Cup. After getting back to full fitness Markrillos admits that being able to play regularly again has been a great relief.
“Of course, that is important for your confidence,” he said. “For yourself it’s a big thing, it keeps you motivated. I knew eventually I would be playing and when I did I had to take it with both hands and not let it go. There is a lot of pressure on players here, but for me it’s all about enjoying my football and letting my feet do the talking.”
Since December 10th placed Panionios have achieved some remarkable results such as beating PAOK in the Greek Cup and drawing against highly fancied Aris who are fifth – experiences Makrillos has relished.
“Those teams are top level,” Makrillos said. “You are playing against players and clubs that play in the Champions League. Aris is a very big club also. I feel better playing against Olympiacos , PAOK and AEK rather than the lower teams. I feel a lot more comfortable, like I am on the same level as those players and that technically I am better than some. Playing against those players and teams that like to play football you are going to have chances in the games to get on the ball and get the ball moving.”
Despite his recent game time Makrillos admits that during the first part of the season when he was injured and unable to play he started to yearn for home comforts.
“When a player isn’t playing regularly or coming off the bench or is not in the squad it’s hard because you are away from your family,” he said.
“You think to yourself why am I away when I could be home with my family? I left my family when I was 13 and half years old and mentally I am very strong now. When I first came here I believed in my abilities and myself. I knew where I belonged. All I needed to do was put my head down and to enjoy my football and if I did that people around me would see my talent.”
Now that he is playing regular for Panionios, Makrillos is hoping his performances against teams like Olympiacos F.C. have caught the eye of Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold.
“I would love to represent my country,” he said. “I have before and it was a very special feeling, but I feel like I haven’t had the chance to show what I have. Now I’m playing I hope they can watch me very closely because I do believe I can help the squad.”
Makrillos also hopes to emulate the careers of former Socceroos Jim Patikas and Chris Kalantzsis who spent a decade in Greece playing for clubs like AEK, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos.
“That is exactly what I want to do,” he said. “They established themselves in Greece and they made big name for themselves – I have all the respect for them because if it wasn’t for these Australian Greeks who came here to Greece I wouldn’t have the guts and come and try. So I pay my respect to these guys and I would love to have a career like them.”
