'Palestinian Pelé' Suleiman al-Obeid killed in Israeli attack in southern Gaza; fans mourn his death
UEFA's tribute sparks mixed reactions
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) posted a tribute on X (formerly Twitter), calling him "a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."
Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé'. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times. pic.twitter.com/wGSXCq2ceo
While some fans welcomed the recognition, others criticised the message for omitting any mention of the circumstances surrounding his death.
Who killed him @UEFA???
How did he die?
He was killed while trying to find a few scraps of food for his 5 children. He didn't pass away peacefully in bed, you spineless cowards.
From local pitches to international recognition
Al-Obeid's football journey began with Khadamat al-Shati in Gaza before he moved to the West Bank to play for Markaz Shabab al-Am'ari. He later joined Gaza Sport, where his sharp eye for goal made him one of the most feared forwards in the league. Across his club career, he scored over 100 goals, earning the nickname that would follow him for life.
Making his debut for Palestine in 2007, al-Obeid earned 24 caps and scored twice for the national side. His most celebrated moment came in 2010 when he executed a stunning scissors kick against Yemen in the West Asian Football Federation Championship - a goal still remembered fondly by fans.
Sport under siege in Gaza
The PFA says the conflict has taken a devastating toll on Gaza's sporting community. Since October 2023, 662 people involved in sports - including 321 from football - have been killed.
The tragedy comes amid an escalating hunger crisis, with UN reports indicating more than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access food aid since late May.
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