Facundo Pellistri Leads Panathinaikos in Emotional Tribute to George Baldock Ahead of Chelsea Match

Facundo Pellistri, the Uruguayan winger who recently joined Panathinaikos, has been at the forefront of the Greek club’s emotional tribute to their late teammate, George Baldock. Ahead of their UEFA Conference League match against Chelsea on Thursday, Panathinaikos held a poignant ceremony in honor of Baldock, who tragically passed away on October 9 at the age of 31.

Pellistri, who joined Panathinaikos in August, expressed the deep impact of Baldock’s death on the club and the country. “It was a shock. Not only for the club and the country, but for the world,” Pellistri said in an interview with TNT Sports. He emphasized the team’s commitment to honoring Baldock’s memory by performing their best on the pitch.

The match against Chelsea was marked by a minute of silence, with both teams wearing black armbands. Panathinaikos fans showed their respect by holding up cards marked ’32’, which was Baldock’s shirt number at the club. The ceremony also included the playing of David Bowie’s ‘Starman‘, a song that was often chanted by Sheffield United supporters in honor of Baldock.

Panathinaikos manager Diego Alonso reiterated the team’s dedication to Baldock’s memory, stating that the entire season would be dedicated to his blessed memory. “We are living 15 very hard days, we are still mourning this loss,” Alonso said, highlighting the respect and unity within the team.

Despite the emotional weight, Pellistri also issued a warning to Chelsea, stating that Panathinaikos would approach the game with the intensity of a cup final. “We have the fans on our side, we’ve shown what we can do, we will play this game like it’s a cup final!” he said, reflecting the team’s determination and spirit.