Kevin Mirallas
A mercurial Belgian winger whose dazzling skill and fiery temperament made him a fan favorite and a constant source of drama on the pitch.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Belgian association football player·Birthday: October 5·Millennials
Biography
Kevin Mirallas played football with a flair and intensity that could ignite a stadium or infuriate a manager in equal measure. Emerging in Belgium with Lille and Saint-Étienne, his direct running, technical trickery, and eye for goal marked him as a special talent. His move to Everton in the English Premier League was where his contradictory nature became legend. On his day, he was unplayable—cutting in from the wing to unleash fierce shots, scoring spectacular goals, and playing with a swagger that embodied the club's fighting spirit. Supporters adored his passion. Yet that same passion often boiled over into petulance, arguments over set-pieces, and disciplinary issues. His career was a rollercoaster of sublime moments and frustrating absences, a journey through Greece, Italy, and back to Belgium that never quite fulfilled the world-class potential his best flashes promised, but guaranteed he was never, ever boring to watch.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kevin was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kevin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Kevin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Greek Super League title with Olympiacos in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.
- Scored 29 goals across all competitions during his first three seasons with Everton in the Premier League.
- Earned over 60 caps for the Belgian national team during the early years of their 'Golden Generation'.
- Helped Standard Liège win the Belgian Cup in 2011, scoring in the final.
Did You Know?
He is of Spanish descent through his grandmother, which is reflected in his full surname, 'Mirallas y Castillo'.
He famously argued with Everton teammate Leighton Baines over who would take a penalty during a match in 2014, took it himself, and missed.
He played in the 2008 Olympic football tournament for Belgium in Beijing.
After leaving Everton, he had a brief loan spell at Italian club Fiorentina.
“I play to win, to make the difference, and sometimes that means taking a risk.”
