AFTER bagging a team-leading 14 goals to help AEK Athens win the 2022/2023 Greek Super League title, Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Levi Garcia is eager for more success. Describing it as a "massive" season and the best of his three years at the club, Garcia said this has pushed him to work even harder.
AEK Athens trounced NFC Volos 4-0 on Sunday, to top the table with 83 points.
Known primarily as a direct threat in the box, Garcia showed his play-making capability with an assist to teammate Orbelin Pineda, in the 59th minute, for the third goal. It was the club's 13th league title and the first since Garcia arrived.
The Sanra Flora-born footballer finished as the runner-up for the Golden Boot, behind Olympiacos's Cedric Bakambu's 18 goals.
He had five assists for the season.
[caption id="attachment_1016265" align="alignnone" width="664"] AEK Athens midfielder Levi Garcia celebrates with the Greek Super League trophy on Sunday. -[/caption]
Next up for AEK Athens is the Greek Cup final against PAOK Thessaloniki FC on May 24.
Speaking to Newsday on Monday, Garcia said while it has been a "really, really long season," it is not yet over.
"(We have) one trophy in the bag and hopefully we could get another one to top of it."
He said he is satisfied with his performance thus far despite minor injuries during the season, which he called "a couple of hiccups."
"But I am really really happy about myself and I believe I could do much more, and I believe, hopefully, in the near future I (will)."
He said maintaining his fitness and health is important and he will continue to adhere to his training regimen.
Throughout the season, there were several rumours that major international clubs were interested in signing him. Among the teams reported to have scouted him are Bundesliga title contenders Borussia Dortmund, French club Lille and Scottish champions Celtic.
Despite the speculation, Garcia is staying grounded and said this is something players deal with throughout their career. But, admittedly, he said, it can be challenging to ignore these developments.
[caption id="attachment_1016263" align="alignnone" width="823"] AEK Athens footballer Levi Garcia celebrates winning the Greek Super League title with his family. -[/caption]
"I just try my best to pay it no mind, almost, (but) as much as you want to block it out, (sometimes) when you hear the types of clubs that are interested in you, you'd be like: 'What!?' But you have to block it off and continue to stay focused on the goals and tasks at hand."
As it stands, Garcia plans to remain with AEK Athens as there are still two years left in his contract.
But he added, "Whatever happens in the future, according to how things go, we will see..."
There has been an outpouring of support for Garcia and AEK Athens on social media by TT nationals, which he said came as a "big surprise" to him.
"I didn't know so many people were following, and there are people who are just getting to know (about) me too.
"I appreciate the love and it's really be
