Beitar Jerusalem’s highly publicized pursuit of Eran Zahavi has officially come to an end, closing the door on what many viewed as the striker’s final possible stop in Israeli soccer.
While rumors had swirled for weeks, the club’s announcement that Zahavi would not be joining the squad did not come as a surprise to those involved in the behind-the-scenes negotiations. What looked like a fairytale ending to Zahavi’s illustrious career ultimately collapsed due to a combination of hesitation, club policy, and deeper concerns about dressing-room dynamics.
Although financial terms were quickly agreed upon, Beitar expected not only Zahavi’s world-class talent but also his full enthusiasm and commitment. That eagerness never quite came across. His prolonged indecision set off alarm bells in the club’s hierarchy, prompting them to issue a firm ultimatum: he would have to join the team’s training camp in Bulgaria if he wished to sign.
“We didn’t want to be dealing every day with the question of whether Zahavi would arrive or not,” said a source close to the club. “It was becoming a distraction.”
Internally, Beitar was divided on the potential signing. On one hand, Zahavi’s scoring record and star power would be a major boost. On the other hand, there were concerns about how his arrival would affect squad harmony, particularly with prominent attacking players like Omer Atzili and Yarden Shua already in the mix.
“Every week there would be pressure – will Zahavi start? Will he be on the bench? That kind of drama is not healthy,” a club official noted.
From Zahavi’s side, those close to him were surprised by the ultimatum.
“It was strange,” one confidant said. “Especially when it’s clear Beitar is still signing other players who won’t necessarily be at the training camp either.”
Despite the tension, the two sides maintained mutual respect, as Beitar’s official statement emphasized.
“The connection between the sides was respectful, remains so, and will continue to be so in the future. The conversations were positive, and the decision was made with mutual understanding.”
An icon in Israeli soccer
Zahavi, 37, is one of the most iconic figures in modern Israeli soccer. A native of Rishon Lezion, his career began with Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he helped win the Israeli Premier League title and reached the Europa League group stage. He then moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv, becoming a club legend by leading them to three straight championships and breaking the single-season Israeli league goal-scoring record in 2015/16 with 35 goals.
His success in Israel paved the way for a lucrative move to China’s Guangzhou R&F, where he became one of the Chinese Super League’s most prolific foreign players, scoring 91 goals in 106 appearances. Zahavi then spent two seasons in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven before returning home to Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2022. Internationally, he has scored 33 goals for the Israeli national team, placing him second on the all-time list.
Still, despite being physically fit – he continues training daily and maintains a high fitness level – Zahavi has openly wrestled with whether he wants to play another season.
“I felt great physically,” he said recently. “But I don’t want to go through another year like the last one at Maccabi Tel Aviv.”
At a recent Phoenix Insurance conference, Zahavi opened up about what might lie ahead.
“I have a passion to continue in football because I think I can influence a lot of people,” he said. “On the other hand, I want to do something meaningful – to help the younger generation, to support personal development, maybe as a sporting director or a player agent.”
For Beitar, the saga is now over. The club moves on with plans to sign up to three more foreign players, including a central defender and an attacker. With 10,000 season tickets sold, the financial backing is in place, but the decision to part ways with Zahavi underscores Beitar’s commitment to structure and unity over star power.
As for Zahavi, this likely marks the end of his club career in Israel. He has repeatedly said he would not play for another Israeli club besides Beitar, ruling out a return to Maccabi Tel Aviv or a move to Hapoel Beersheba or Maccabi Netanya. His options are now down to two: a final challenge abroad – or retirement.
One thing remains certain: whether or not Eran Zahavi takes the field again, his legacy in Israeli soccer is already secure.