2006 Olympiakos Home – Rivaldo #10

The 2005–06 season was a dominant and historically significant campaign for Olympiakos, as the club reaffirmed its status as Greek football’s undisputed powerhouse. Managed by Trond Sollied, Olympiakos delivered a season of authority, control, and attacking confidence, completing a domestic double and leaving little doubt about their superiority.

In the Alpha Ethniki (Greek Super League), Olympiakos finished champions, pulling clear of rivals with consistency and depth. Their league campaign was marked by attacking fluidity, strong home form at the Karaiskakis Stadium, and a midfield that controlled matches rather than chased them. Olympiakos also lifted the Greek Cup, defeating AEK Athens in the final to secure the double and cap off a near-flawless domestic season.

In Europe, Olympiakos competed in the UEFA Champions League group stage, facing elite opposition. While they did not progress beyond the group, the campaign offered valuable continental exposure and underscored the gap between domestic dominance and Europe’s top tier — a recurring theme for Greek clubs during that era.

The 2005–06 Olympiakos home kit, produced by Puma, was a classic embodiment of the club’s identity. Featuring the iconic red-and-white vertical stripes, subtle black detailing, and a clean athletic cut, the shirt balanced tradition with modern styling. It has since become a recognizable vintage football shirt, closely associated with one of Olympiakos’ most stylish title-winning sides.

2. Player’s Impact – Rivaldo

The 2005–06 season represented a remarkable late-career renaissance for Rivaldo, who arrived at Olympiakos as one of the most decorated players ever to play in Greece. At 33 years old, the former Ballon d’Or winner brought not only star power, but genuine elite quality — and delivered decisively.

Rivaldo finished the season as Olympiakos’ top scorer, netting over 30 goals in all competitions, an extraordinary return for an attacking midfielder. Operating primarily as a free central playmaker, he was given total creative freedom, drifting between lines, orchestrating attacks, and unleashing his trademark long-range strikes.

His influence went far beyond goals. Rivaldo dictated tempo, drew defensive attention, and elevated the technical level of the entire squad. In decisive league fixtures and cup matches, he consistently delivered match-winning moments, often with spectacular finishes that reminded observers of his peak years at Barcelona and Milan.

This season redefined Rivaldo’s legacy. Rather than fading quietly, he dominated domestically, earned cult-hero status in Piraeus, and proved that intelligence, technique, and confidence could transcend age. His Olympiakos spell stands as one of the most successful late-career chapters by a global superstar.

3. Full Squad List (Olympiakos – 2005–06 Season)

Manager: Trond Sollied

Goalkeepers:
Antonios Nikopolidis, Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos

Defenders:
Predrag Đorđević (captain), Stelios Venetidis, Giourkas Seitaridis, Michalis Kapsis, Cristian Ledesma, Didier Drogba (no), correcting:
Predrag Đorđević, Stelios Venetidis, Giourkas Seitaridis, Michalis Kapsis, Cristian Ledesma, Lucian Sanmartean (defensive usage), Yiorgos Anatolakis

Midfielders:
Rivaldo, Stelios Giannakopoulos, Luciano Galletti, Grigoris Georgatos, Cristian Ledesma, Yaya Touré, Vasilis Tsiartas

Forwards:
Giovanni, Michalis Konstantinou, Darko Kovačević, Julio César