Former Greek international defender Paraskevas Antzas has died at the age of 49 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), reports said Monday.
Antzas, born in Drama, was considered one of the top centre-backs of his generation in Greek soccer, playing for Olympiakos, Xanthi and Doxa Drama during his club career.
He earned 26 caps for the Greek national team.
At club level, Antzas won seven Greek league titles – including five consecutive championships – and three Greek Cups, establishing himself as a key figure in one of Olympiakos’ most successful eras.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects nerve cells responsible for controlling movement, leading to gradual muscle paralysis. The disease damages neuromuscular junctions where nerve fibers connect with muscle cells, though the underlying mechanism remains not fully understood.
