Odysseas Vlachodimos: Sevilla Goalkeeper on the Derby, Rituals, and Future Plans
Sevilla FC goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, 31, recently shared insights into his preparation for the upcoming derby against Real Betis, his experience with the club, and his personal preferences. The Greek international spoke with ABC de Sevilla, revealing details about his pre-match routines and aspirations.
Derby Day Focus
Vlachodimos acknowledged the significance of the Seville derby, stating, “The league table says that Betis is better, but it’s a derby and we aim for to win.” He emphasized the team’s determination to secure a victory in the match against their rivals.
Pre-Match Rituals
The Sevilla goalkeeper detailed his unique pre-game ritual, which begins not at the stadium, but in his hotel room. “Well, the same thing always happens. But my pre-game ritual is to grab the gloves I’m going to use the next day. I always pick them up at the hotel, I put them on in the room and imagine some situations that could occur during the game. Yes, that’s where it all starts, actually. Not in the stadium.” He also revealed that he always travels with “my pillow, my recovery blanket and a pair of gloves.”
Dream Dinner Guests
When asked about three personalities he would invite to dinner, Vlachodimos playfully named Cristiano Ronaldo “to spot what he eats,” former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar “to talk about the goal,” and his wife “because otherwise I would be in trouble.” He added with a smile, “Yes, that would be a good mix.”
Settling into Sevilla
Vlachodimos expressed his satisfaction with the warm welcome he received from his teammates at Sevilla FC. He noted the ease with which he integrated into the team, stating, “They are all very good guys and it was very easy for me to reach here as a recent player. I felt very familiar and wouldn’t choose anyone in particular. The whole group is really very nice. It is very easy to integrate and from the first day everyone talked to me and I felt very good. So I would say the whole team.” He also mentioned that his teammates have spoken highly of Seville’s famous Holy Week and Fair, expressing his desire to experience them firsthand.
Looking Ahead
Vlachodimos shared his wishes for the year, hoping for the health of his colleagues and expressing his personal desire to “enjoy every day.”
Player Profile
Odysseas Vlachodimos currently plays as a goalkeeper for Sevilla FC on loan from Newcastle United. He was born on April 26, 1994, in Stuttgart, Germany, and also holds Greek citizenship. His market value is currently estimated at €4.00 million [Transfermarkt]. He is the brother of Panagiotis Vlachodimos. Vlachodimos’ contract with Sevilla FC is set to expire on June 30, 2026 [Transfermarkt], while his contract with Newcastle United runs until June 30, 2028 [Transfermarkt].
Vlachodimos has represented the Greece national team, earning 51 caps as of November 18, 2025 [Wikipedia]. He previously played for Benfica, Nottingham Forest, and Panathinaikos, among other clubs [Wikipedia].