Mandas: "I Am Maturing, I Evaluate Things Better, And I Reflect More On My Actions. You Play For Money, Yes, But What Drives Me Is The Love Of The Game."

Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas has shared an extensive look into his personal and professional life in a long interview with Esquire Greece. The conversation, accompanied by photos by Vasilis Mantas, was published online only today, although the print version was released in Greece at the beginning of October. The young Greek spoke with striking honesty about his growth, his career, and his ambitions both in Italy and abroad.

Mandas began reflecting on his evolution as both a player and a man. “I am maturing, I evaluate things better, and I reflect more on my actions,” he said. He recalled a school video where he was the only child who declared he wanted to become a footballer. That childhood promise came with sacrifice. Until the age of twenty, football consumed his entire life. School was difficult, trips were impossible, and leisure time barely existed. Yet he insisted that the friends who stood by him in those years helped shape the person he has become.

He revealed that he once played as a center forward but quickly understood that fate had different plans. “For some reason, I became a goalkeeper. It was destiny,” he said. Patience was not his strength as a child, but with time he learned how to channel his energy into becoming a complete professional. He now embraces every opportunity without losing his emotional balance.

Mandas also discussed financial realities in modern football. Goalkeepers do not earn the same figures as attackers or creative midfielders, but he insists that money has never been his primary motivation. “I am one of those romantics. You play for money, yes, but what drives me is the love of the game,” he said. He admitted that seeing his current value reach ten million euros feels surreal, especially considering that his worth was ten times lower just three years ago at OFI Crete.

His rise has involved setbacks as well as successes. He recalls the challenges of his early career, which helped him develop resilience. That foundation proved crucial when he arrived at Lazio. He came to Rome as the third choice, worked tirelessly, and climbed to the number one role in a matter of months. “I want to compete with myself,” he emphasized.

The interview also explored his connection with Italian football. Mandas had long dreamed of playing in Serie A after working with an Italian coach at Atromitos. He finds the environment demanding and highly tactical, noting how many players come from deep Italian football backgrounds. The nickname “little Donnarumma” followed him due to similarities in age and reflexes, but Mandas prefers not to be compared to anyone. If he had to choose one inspiration, however, it would be Gianluigi Buffon, whom he considers the perfect model for leadership, technique, positioning, and consistency.

When speaking about pressure, Mandas surprised many. He does not feel anxious during matches. Instead, the tension comes afterward when the adrenaline fades. His approach to penalties is equally composed. He views them as a duel where the goalkeeper must rely solely on concentration. He also described how much he appreciates Italian stadiums, where even matches watched from the bench feel intense and enjoyable. This, he notes, is very different from the environment in Greece.

Mandas remains connected to his national team but understands the frustrations surrounding recent results. He believes Greece have built something important in the last few years and that time and patience are crucial for continued progress.

As for the future, Mandas wants to continue playing abroad before eventually returning to Greece. He loves Serie A and believes competition outside his home country is essential for improvement. Still, he does not rule out returning to OFI Crete one day, the club where his journey began.

The portrait that emerges is of a goalkeeper who is grounded, ambitious, and determined to continue growing. Lazio may be his present, but Mandas clearly sees the world as his field of exploration, with the confidence that the best chapters of his career are still ahead.