More than a goalkeeper: Konstantinos Tzolakis on balancing university alongside professional football

• Konstantinos Tzolakis graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Piraeus, completing his studies while playing professional football at the top level
• The Olympiacos and Greek national team goalkeeper explains why education matters and how players can prepare for life after football
• Greek player union PSAPP announced Tzolakis as their dual-career ambassador

At 23, Konstantinos Tzolakis has already amassed four Greek Super League titles, a UEFA Conference League winners' medal and seven caps for the Greek national team. But in a profession where careers can be short and futures uncertain, his story highlights why planning beyond football is no longer optional.

Alongside his rise as Olympiacos' first-team goalkeeper and his development at international level, Tzolakis graduated with a degree in Business Administration last year from the University of Piraeus in Athens, completing his studies while playing professional football at the highest level in Greece.

"What motivated me to continue my studies was the fact I had already put in a lot of effort back in school when I was preparing for the university entrance exams," Tzolakis told FIFPRO.org. "It would have felt unfair and a shame to let all that hard work go to waste and not complete what I had started.

"Since I was young, I’ve always enjoyed mathematics and anything related to economics, so it was only natural for me to choose Business Administration as my field of study."

Balancing professional sport with higher education requires more than motivation: it demands structure, discipline, and support – particularly when factoring in match schedules, international travel and demanding periods of the season. 

For Tzolakis, that balance meant moving between the training ground and lecture halls, preparing for matches and exams, and managing two performance environments at the same time. It also reflects a mindset increasingly recognised across football: that players are not only athletes, but professionals with long-term lives and careers to consider.

"What I learned most from my university experience is the importance of consistency," said Tzolakis. "You have to stay committed throughout those years, because if you don’t, it will eventually catch up with you later on."

Preparing for life after football

Having just turned 23 this season, Tzolakis in theory has many years ahead of him representing club and country between the posts. Football careers, though, can change abruptly, whether through injury, form, contracts, or circumstances beyond a player’s control.

Even the most successful players face a transition when their playing days end. Education plays a crucial role in preparing players for that transition with security, something that Tzolakis is very much conscious of. 

"The reason I started thinking about life after football came from my parents’ advice. They always told me that you never know how things might turn out, and that nothing is guaranteed in such a competitive and demanding environment as professional sports," said Tzolakis. 

"So, in the back of my mind, I’ve always had those thoughts, and I try to make the most out of my studies because I truly believe they’ll help me. They already do, even now."

Those studies also offered Tzolakis a focus and outlet separate from the day-to-day life of a footballer. "For now, I can’t say my studies have helped me significantly on the pitch, but they’ve certainly helped me off it. I’ve gained valuable knowledge and information that allow me to understand more about financial matters and take part in discussions related to this area.

"My studies will definitely help me both during and after my football career, as they are related to the financial field. The earnings I make throughout my playing years are something I want to know how to manage and invest properly, so that I can build a better future for myself and my family."

'Having knowledge and education will help you throughout life'

While his primary focus this campaign is winning a fifth league title with Olympiacos, Tzolakis is proof that education and elite football can coexist.

Stories like Tzolakis’ underline why player unions continue to push for flexible education pathways and long-term planning support for professionals across the game.

Greek player union PSAPP has established several grant programs in cooperation with educational institutions for its members and is continuously working to expand funding and partnerships to create more quality educational opportunities for players. PSAPP announced Konstantinos as a dual career ambassador during the union’s awards ceremony.

"The players’ union, during its annual awards ceremony, grants an award to every footballer who has completed his or her studies, promoting awareness of the importance of a dual career. They also address the value of a dual career during their visits to dressing rooms."

In his role with PSAPP, Tzolakis speaks to younger players about managing football alongside education – the same conversations he once had at home. "The message I would give is the same one my parents gave me: that professional sport is an uncertain field, and you never know what life might bring. That’s why it’s important to have an education and a degree in a specific field, because knowledge will always be valuable, whether you’re 25 or 40.

"Having knowledge and education is something that will help you throughout your entire life."

In a sport where nothing is guaranteed, preparation on and off the pitch can make all the difference.