Soccer life in Israel

You’ve heard of soccer in Mexico, in Brazil, and of course, you have heard about the big leagues in Europe, but did you know that soccer is just as popular in Israel and a sport that many Israelis enjoy?

Nowadays, there are many Israelis who are proving that people in their country have the skill when it comes to playing on an international level. The Israeli team has been making an impact, as have certain star Israeli soccer players.

What is the atmosphere like in relation to sports in the country?

While it is a relatively small country, this doesn’t take away from Israel’s desire to maintain professional teams in a variety of sports. According to Robbie Rothenberg, whether in football or basketball, or in many other sports, playing on international teams and excelling in sports is a big part of Israeli culture.

Not surprisingly, soccer – or football, as it is commonly known – is the most popular one in Israel.  It’s not uncommon for people to see kids playing outdoors in the warm summer months, whether on actual teams or simply with their friends. While the majority of the population excel at water activities and sports, an equal amount, if not more, also practices team sports from a young age and enjoy playing throughout their lives, whether they end up becoming professionals or not.

It’s no surprise that Israel has a high number of players playing on foreign teams and making a name for themselves, which, in turn, enables them to “shine” in the world of sports and showcase their athletic abilities.  Based on Robbie Rothenberg‘s research, from a young age, children are encouraged to participate in the sports that suit their fancy and football is certainly a popular decision for many.

Who has been the most popular football player from Israel?

A current star who has his origins in Israel, Nir Biton is a young, yet extremely talented player who is a living proof that his country does not lack when it comes to skills and charisma; he plays and regularly wins for Scotland.  David Lesch and Mordechai Spiegler are among the popular choices, of course, as they are names that cannot be ignored.  Spiegler is one of Israel’s most iconic and recognized players who deserves the attention for having led his country’s team to victory in World Cup Finals. When it comes to football, Israel deserves a great deal of recognition, as it slowly but surely continues producing some of the finest players in the world.