BEIRUT: A Palestinian former footballer, who was once nicknamed ‘Pele of Palestine,’ died on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike at a Gaza aid distribution center while queuing for food for his five children.
The Palestinian Football Association mourned the death of Suleiman Al-Obaid, who played for the national team, Khadamat Al-Shati Club and other local clubs, on their X handle.
“The former Palestine national team player Al-Obaid was killed in an Israeli strike targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip,” wrote the PFA.
It said in a media statement that 41-year-old Al-Obaid was regarded as one of the most talented attacking midfielders to play in the Gaza Strip League and was nicknamed “Pele of Palestine.”
French former player Eric Cantona condemned the killing of Al-Obaid on Instagram.
“He was named « The Pelé of Palestine » HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM COMMIT THIS GENOCIDE??? FREE PALESTINE,” the former Manchester United forward wrote.
Palestinian former national football star Jamal Al-Khatib mourned Al-Obaid’s “saddening death” and paid tribute to his family, former clubmates and PFA.
“Gazans have been suffering a lot because of Israel’s unstoppable atrocities. Thousands have martyred, including many footballers. Al-Obaid’s death is a tragic loss for the Palestinian football community,” Al-Khatib told Arab News on Thursday.
The former Al-Nijme and Al-Ansar forward added that people from all levels of society, including footballers and athletes, have been paying a hefty price for what Al-Khatib described by “murderous Israeli attacks on hungry civilians.”
According to the PFA, Al-Obaid represented the national team 19 times in the Asian Cup, Pan Arab Games, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and other friendlies. His debut was against Iraq in the West Asia Championship in 2007 and his last match was against Qatar in 2013.
Besides playing for Khadamat Al-Shati, he also played for Shabab Al-Amari and Gaza Sport, in positions including centre forward, right winger and right midfielder.
A father of two sons and three daughters, Al-Obaid scored 17 goals when he played for Gaza Sport and won the top scorer title in the Southern Governorates Premier League in the 2015-2016 season.
With Khadamat Al-Shati he won the league’s top scorer title in the 2016-2017 season, scoring 15 goals.
The number of dead from the Palestinian Football Association has reached 321, including players, coaches, administrators, referees, and club board members.
