The former international footballer lost his life after a motorbike accident in Greece, having been taken to hospital for emergency surgery, but the crash ultimately proved to be fatal
Former international footballer Marios Oikonomou has died aged 33 after a car crash last month. The former Sampdoria and Greece defender was taken to hospital with serious injuries and has sadly passed away.
Reports in Italy say Oikonomou was unable to recover from the injuries sustained in the crash and died nine days on from the accident.
A statement read: “Today the PAS Giannina family is mourning. Marios Economou, a child who earned the love and respect of all of us, left us prematurely. We spent moments of joy, effort and struggle together.
“Always with a smile, always with kindness. To his loved ones, to our President and father Giorgos Economou and his family, we express our deepest sympathy and our most sincere condolences.
“His memory will remain alive in all of us. Mario, we will remember you with love. May your memory be eternal.”
Oikonomou was involved in a collision with a vehicle driven by a 63-year-old motorist, leaving the 33-year-old former footballer with severe injuries as he was rushed to hospital.
Emergency responders and traffic police were quickly dispatched to the accident site in Ioannina, northwestern Greece, on Saturday, May 23, near the entrance to Hatzikosta Hospital.
Oikonomou was transported to Ioannina University Hospital with life-threatening head injuries. Doctors performed emergency surgery, including a decompressive craniectomy, a life-saving procedure that involves temporarily removing a portion of the skull to alleviate pressure.
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Following the operation, Oikonomou was placed in intensive care, but unable to recover. The Greek authorities announced that an investigation into the crash, which occurred on a central road notorious for its dangers, is ongoing.
Oikonomou, who had stints with Serie A teams Cagliari and Bologna, as well as prominent Greek side AEK Athens and Danish club Copenhagen.
Throughout his career, Oikonomou earned six caps for Greece between 2016 and 2018 and spent considerable time playing in Italy. The centre-back also had spells with clubs such as SPAL and Bari in Serie A and Serie B.
After retiring from football in 2024, following a stint with Panetolikos in his native Greece, AEK Athens paid tribute to Oikonomou with a message online.
They stated: “The AEK Athens family stands by Marios and his family, with the hope that he can emerge victorious from the most difficult battle of his life.”
Italian club Bologna also offered words of encouragement for their former player, saying: “Come on Marios, we are all with you.”