One of the greatest careers in the history of Israeli soccer came to an end on Thursday, as Eran Zahavi officially announced his retirement at the age of 38.
After months of speculation and deliberation, the all-time leading scorer of the Israel national team confirmed that he will not return to the pitch, closing the book on a remarkable 19-year senior career defined by trophies, records, and unforgettable moments.
“Thank you, my football, my first and greatest love in life,” Zahavi wrote in an emotional farewell post. “We are parting today on the pitch, but certainly not forever, and I will always be grateful for who I am because of you. I love you from the bottom of my heart, I will miss you just like you will miss me. Thank you for everything.”
Zahavi attached a video to the post, featuring a conversation between his present self and his younger self, a fitting tribute to a journey that began long before the goals and glory.
Born and raised in Rishon Lezion, Zahavi started his footballing path at Ironi Rishon Lezion before joining the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth system. His senior breakthrough came at Hapoel Ramat Hasharon, after which he returned to Hapoel Tel Aviv, the club where he first emerged into national consciousness. Initially deployed mainly as a midfielder, Zahavi quickly became a central figure in one of Hapoel Tel Aviv's most memorable teams in club history.
During the 2009/10 season, he scored the dramatic championship-winning goal in the 92nd minute against Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium, a moment that remains etched in Israeli soccer folklore. That same period saw Hapoel Tel Aviv reach the UEFA Champions League, where Zahavi delivered some of the defining goals of his early career, including an unforgettable bicycle kick against Lyon and a brace against Benfica.
In the summer of 2011, Zahavi moved to Palermo, but his year and a half in Serie A proved challenging, with limited opportunities to establish himself as a regular starter. The true turning point of his career came upon his return to Israel, when he signed for Hapoel Tel Aviv’s city rivals, Maccabi Tel Aviv, at the start of Mitch Goldhar’s ownership era.
Zahavi as Israeli soccer dominant attacking force
Under foreign coaches and in a new role as a full-time striker, Zahavi evolved into the dominant attacking force of Israeli soccer. He became Maccabi Tel Aviv’s leading figure, served intermittently as captain, and led the club to historic achievements. The pinnacle came during the 2015/16 season, when he broke Nissim Elmaliach’s long-standing single-season scoring record with 35 league goals and captained Maccabi Tel Aviv into the Champions League group stage.
After that historic season, Zahavi left Maccabi Tel Aviv and signed with Guangzhou R&F in China. Over three prolific seasons, he scored 100 league goals and was named the league’s Player of the Season, further cementing his reputation as one of the most lethal finishers of his generation.
In 2020, Zahavi surprised many once again by signing with PSV Eindhoven. In the Netherlands, he won the Dutch Cup, finished second in the Eredivisie, and shared the dressing room with players who would go on to become international stars, including Denzel Dumfries, Noni Madueke, Donyell Malen, and Cody Gakpo.
Two years later, in 2022, Zahavi returned to Maccabi Tel Aviv as a free agent. In his second spell with the club, he won two consecutive league titles, including the 2024/25 championship, contributing decisively in crucial moments. This past season, despite his age, he scored 12 goals, eight of them in the championship playoff, before confirming that his time in yellow had come to an end.
Overall, Zahavi finishes his career with 401 goals in 720 appearances, including 175 league goals. He won six league titles, two State Cups, one Dutch Cup, was named Israeli Footballer of the Year three times, and finished as the league’s top scorer four times in Israel and twice in China.
On the international stage, Zahavi stands alone. With 35 goals in 74 appearances, he is the all-time leading scorer for the Israel national team, surpassing Mordechai Spiegler and cementing his place at the top of the country’s scoring charts.
His career was not without controversy – moments such as throwing the captain’s armband, national team disputes, and high-profile on-field incidents were all part of the story – but they never overshadowed the defining images of Zahavi’s legacy: decisive goals, record-breaking seasons, and an unrelenting drive to win.
As one of the most prolific and influential soccer players and athletes Israel has ever produced, Eran Zahavi leaves the game as a permanent figure in any discussion of the greatest players in the country’s history, alongside the likes of Eyal Berkovic, Haim Revivo, and Yossi Benayoun.
“We are parting today on the pitch,” Zahavi wrote, “but certainly not forever.”