Fresh out of the juniors, 17-year-old Yianni Panakos has been snapped up by the Seniors at South Melbourne FC, moving up in the team he has proudly been a part of since he joined the under nines.
It was only earlier this month that the young forward was signed to the seniors team, but already has big goals for his future.
“I’m not quite sure where I see myself…obviously the goal is to become a professional soccer player but it’s easier said than done. Hopefully within the next few years, I’d be somewhere overseas doing the thing that I love,” Panakos tells Neos Kosmos.
Panakos has quite the year ahead of him, as he finishes his final year of high school whilst keeping his eye on the prize on the pitch. His love for the game helped him stay on the ball even through last year’s lockdown.
“I’d say I got better as a player over that time because I saw it as a chance to improve more. I was out there in the park every single day for quite a few hours because I couldn’t really do anything. I was in year 11 so I didn’t have that much to do so I was just kicking the ball and doing a bit of study,” he said.
Now that he’s back on the pitch and up with the seniors, the up and coming forward is looking forward to seeing where the next chapter of his career will take him. Thankfully he has a strong team behind him to navigate the next few steps.
“I’ve had a really good connection with Esteban [head coach] recently. He’s big on confidence because that’s the number one thing in soccer, to be confident and to always back yourself in whatever the situation may be,” Panakos said.
“When I first came in, there were some great role models around the team like Brad and Marcus Schroen, some big names who didn’t just see me as one of the young players but really helped me gel into the team. I don’t feel like an outsider, I feel like I’m part of the team, which is quite hard for someone at a young age. And they’re all great players as well, it’s nice to play on a team that I can take something out of and add something to my game from every single player there.”
Panakos talks pre season highlights, improving his game and playing in a new league.
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What drew you to football?
I remember watch a game of soccer, I think it was the Champions League final where Messi scored that header against Manchester United and that’s when I really wanted to be like Messi.
I can’t remember how old I was when the game was played, but I remember it encouraged me to sign up and start playing soccer with the under nines.
It’s game day, what do you do to get in the zone before the match?
Nothing too out of this world, just what a regular player would do, maybe chuck some headphones in and listen to some music. I try not too put too much pressure on myself before the game starts.
Top 3 training songs?
AJ Tracey, Samtan Dave and then maybe a bit of Drake.
What do you find most challenging about the game?
Probably defending. I’m not really a defender and I’d say it’s definitely one of my weaknesses. I’m not that great at winning the ball. Other than that I’d say the whole physical attribute towards the game. I think I need to put on a bit more meat.
What has been a highlight in your sporting career thus far?
I’d say recently when I scored my first senior goal at pre season against the Eastern Lions. I came on and scored a goal, it was such a great feeling.
How has football impacted your life?
Football is everything to me really, I wake up and straight away it’s just soccer. It’s my first priority and then everything else comes after. Obviously school is important and I focus on that as well but as much as I try, it’s never going to be my main priority like soccer. It always has been and always will be my number one priority to focus on.
What is something you learned about yourself through playing the game?
I’m not too sure really. I’m a fighter, but I don’t really find myself in situations where I have to fight really. I still don’t know what I’ve learned about myself.
What do you hope to achieve in the next year?
I just hope, for this season, to have a breakthrough in the senior squad. Get on the bench for a few games but overall I think my biggest goal is to score a goal in the seniors.
What’s something someone might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m quite shy actually. If you ask some of my mates they’ll say I’m quite goofy but I’m actually quite shy and very, very approachable.
Favourite way to unwind after a game?
I’d maybe go out and see some friends or honestly just play the game again. I’d go out to the park and play more soccer.
What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
Football. It’s back so it hurt when it got taken away from us so I’ve got to make the most out of it now that it’s back and I have a great opportunity with South Melbourne as well.
What is something you want to be remembered by?
As a goal scorer, it’s what I’m put on green to do and that’s what I want to be remembered by, ‘oh Yianni the goal scorer’.
