Apostolis is a young Greek artist whose work transcends the boundaries of mere portraiture, capturing the spirit of football with an artistry that speaks to the child in all of us. His paintings are imbued with a sense of innocence, nostalgia, and raw emotion—a tribute to some moments in sport that make us pause and remember the joy, excitement, and naiveté of our youth. 

For Apostolis, football is more than just a subject; it is a language of emotion, a way of life that has shaped both his artistic vision and his personal journey. His paintings do more than just depict athletes—they celebrate their humanity, their purity. A celebration of football’s universal love language, while inviting us to remember the playful wonder of our own first experiences with the beautiful game.

“Performance is my lifestyle,” Apostolis says, and this mantra flows through his work like a heartbeat, driving every stroke and every detail.

First of all, what does football mean to you as a human being? How has it shaped your life and artistic vision?

Football for me is an Emotion. I love sports in general, but football is another thing. The mentality of the winner, the intensity, the field and even the lifestyle of the football players have always had an impact on me. 

How did you first discover your passion for painting, and what led you to focus on football as your primary subject?

I started painting 5 years ago, but I’ve always been involved in artistic activities from a young age, such as ceramics. I also studied baking and pastry making, so in my work I always did something with my hands. Then I started making pencil drawings and I realized what I really wanted to do. As far as football is concerned, I started by drawing some players in their special moments and celebrations, until some spontaneously contacted me to thank me for my works. From that moment I knew I was on the right track.

Greece has a rich cultural history, for both art and football. How has your Greek heritage influenced your artistic style and approach into capturing the essence of football?

Greece has one of the deepest cultural heritages in the world, it really has many stimuli to offer. Speaking of football, we also experienced historical moments too, such as winning Euro 2004, which is forever etched in the soul of all Greeks, I get chills just remembering it. In general, as Greeks, we are an intense people, I wanted to include and convey this intensity to the works as well.

Football is a universal language that transcends borders. How do you choose the specific moments, players, or matches that you portray in your work?

Football has a great influence on all sections. I choose the special moments, the silly faces, the mad celebrations, I don’t like boring things. I like the lifestyle of some players, so I look for things like that. I also promote women because they have infinite talent and live it in their own way. 

Looking back at your body of work, is there a particular piece that holds a special meaning for you? Could you share the story behind it?

That’s difficult, ​​because every single piece really has a special place in my heart. I will never forget the first time I was asked for a portrait from Nicolaij Thomsen, a Copenhagen amazing football player who has played at European level. I still thank him to this day for the trust, he is an amazing person. Other memories come from some great sales, such as an illustration I did for the guys of SoccerBible or a portrait that I recently did, portraying a specific moment of Valbuena, who reposted it in his Instagram account spontaneously. These are moments that really move me and give me strength to move forward and develop constantly as a person and as an artist. I have met so many great people thanks to art, and I thank each and everyone of them. 

Football is often seen purely as a sport, but your work highlights it as an art form. What do you want to share with your audience, beyond the love for the game?

My art radiates innocence, naiveté if we want, and childishness. It radiates nostalgia for the past. I want that when someone looks at my works they evoke in him memories, moments, feelings. Every time I finish a work, and I mean this because I am a compulsive person, I look at it a million times until I feel that what I have made is unique and unseen. Not because I am arrogant, but because I really love what I do. Whether I sell it or not, I want it to be unique and for others to feel the same way, or at least some. I have received so much love from people all over the world, and I wish with all my heart to give some love back through my art.