Greek football was left in shock on Thursday following the tragic death of Panathinaikos and Greece international defender George Baldock. Tributes poured in from across the country, even from rival clubs and fans, united in mourning the loss of the well-liked 31-year-old.
Baldock, who was born in England and previously played for Sheffield United in the Premier League, was found dead on Wednesday evening in the swimming pool at his home in Glyfada, a southern suburb of Athens.
In a statement, Baldock’s family expressed their grief, saying, “We can confirm that George has sadly passed away. As a family, we are in shock at this terrible loss.”
News of Baldock’s death quickly spread across social media, with condolences pouring in from Greece’s top football league, the Super League, and various clubs, even before his team, Panathinaikos, issued an official statement. Fans from rival clubs also expressed their sorrow at the loss of a player widely admired for his talent and character.
State broadcaster ERT reported that Baldock was found at the bottom of the pool, with a bottle of vodka nearby. According to the Athens News Agency (ANA), Baldock’s wife, who was abroad, alerted the residence’s owner after being unable to reach her husband by phone. Police and an ambulance arrived at the scene, where several Panathinaikos players had also gathered. A coroner determined that Baldock had been dead for approximately five hours, with no signs of foul play or forced entry into the home.
Baldock had joined Panathinaikos in May after spending seven years with Sheffield United, who were relegated from the Premier League to the Championship last season. Of Greek descent through his father, Baldock had been called up to the Greek national team in 2022 by former manager Gus Poyet, earning 12 caps. He was not included in the squad for Greece’s Nations League match against England at Wembley on Thursday due to an injury.
The Greek Football Federation honored Baldock, calling him “one of our own” and requesting that the national team wear black armbands during their upcoming match. Baldock’s club, Panathinaikos, and the Greek national team blacked out their social media profiles in tribute to him.
Tributes also poured in from the football world, with Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, a former teammate of Baldock at Sheffield United, posting "RIP" alongside a heartbreak emoji on Instagram. Sheffield United’s website featured a black-and-white image of Baldock with the message, “RIP George Baldock.” Clubs from Baldock’s early career, including Northampton Town and MK Dons, also shared their condolences, expressing their sadness at his passing.
Baldock, nicknamed "Furious George" by Sheffield United fans for his relentless playing style, was known for his fierce competitiveness. “I just love winning. I hate losing, and I even hate drawing,” he once said in an interview with local media.
Baldock’s sudden death has left the football world mourning the loss of a dedicated and passionate player at the age of 31.
