Remembering Suleiman al-Obeid: A Footballer’s Life Lost Amid Gaza’s Turmoil
On a somber August morning in 2025, the world of football mourned the loss of Suleiman al-Obeid, a name that echoed far beyond the pitches of Gaza. Known affectionately as the “Palestinian Pele,” al-Obeid was more than a talented player—he was a beacon of hope for a generation of children growing up under the shadow of conflict. Yet, the tribute to him on Europe’s football stage, shared by UEFA, stirred a painful conversation about the realities behind his tragic death.
A Tribute Overshadowed: Mohamed Salah’s Call for Truth
When UEFA posted a heartfelt message on social media describing Suleiman al-Obeid as “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times,” they omitted a crucial piece of the story—how, where, and why this young father and former international player met his untimely end.
Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian football superstar celebrated around the globe and Liverpool’s Premier League top scorer for the last season, didn’t hold back. “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” Salah tweeted, his words a clear demand for transparency and acknowledgment of the ongoing conflict’s human cost.
His question was not just about al-Obeid but about the thousands caught in the crossfire of violence in Gaza—a region where humanitarian crises unfold daily, far removed from the glamour of global football arenas.
A Life Cut Short in Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
Suleiman al-Obeid was born in Gaza City and devoted his life to football, proudly representing Palestine in 24 international matches. Married with five children, he embodied the resilience of a people striving to find normalcy amid unstable and often dangerous conditions.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) revealed how al-Obeid was killed on Wednesday, caught in an attack by Israeli forces targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza—a brutal reminder of the precariousness faced by those trying to survive in the enclave.
His death is part of a grim pattern. Since the Gaza war erupted, the sport and scouting sectors have born a disproportionate share of loss. According to PFA statistics, 662 individuals connected to sport have been killed, with football communities alone accounting for 321 deaths. These figures aren’t just numbers; they represent shattered families, silenced cheers, and stolen futures.
Football in Conflict Zones: A Microcosm of Larger Struggles
What does it mean for a region to lose one of its sports heroes like Suleiman al-Obeid? In Gaza, where open spaces for children to play are scarce, and daily life is punctuated by conflict and blockade, football isn’t merely a game—it’s a sanctuary, a form of resistance, and a symbol of hope.
Sports sociologist Dr. Lina Abou-Habib explains, “Football in Gaza carries symbolic weight. It offers a sense of normalcy and international representation amid isolation. Losing players like al-Obeid is a profound loss, not just for sport but for cultural identity.”
Yet, as the conflict intensifies, these symbolic victories come at a deadly price. The deaths of athletes underline a stark reality: even sports are not untouched by the violence. This has broader implications about the intersection of human rights, conflict, and global solidarity.
The Global Football Community’s Reckoning
Mohamed Salah’s outspoken demand for clarity reflects a growing urgency within the footballing world to confront uncomfortable truths. As one of the sport’s most visible figures, Salah’s voice bridges continents and audiences. For many, his call echoes a hope that football’s universal language might also become a platform for peace and justice.
“We can’t separate the sport from the politics and the human lives it touches,” says Jamal al-Farsi, a Palestinian football coach. “When players die because of war, the football community must speak, act, and remember truthfully.”
The timing of al-Obeid’s death, just as Salah prepared to take the field for Liverpool against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley—a traditional signal of a new English football season—was a stark juxtaposition. It’s as if two worlds collided: one of relative peace and celebration, the other of ongoing upheaval and loss.
Humanitarian Voices Amid the Silence
Salah, no stranger to advocacy, has repeatedly used his platform to call attention to the struggles in Gaza. In October 2023, he implored world leaders to open corridors for humanitarian aid, warning darkly of “further slaughter of innocent souls.” His words then resonate even more today, as the death toll climbs.
The human tragedy extends beyond the pitch: families crushed by grief, communities longing for normal life, and children robbed of role models in their local heroes.
- 662 sports and scouting personnel lost since the Gaza war began
- 321 of those killed are part of the footballing community
- Suleiman al-Obeid: a 41-year-old father of five and national football icon
Reflecting on Football’s Role in a Troubled World
As a global audience, how do we reconcile football’s grandeur with stories like al-Obeid’s? Can the sport serve as a bridge across fractured societies, or does it sometimes inadvertently mask harsh realities?
Football’s universal appeal means it carries immense cultural power. When what should be joyous moments of sport become pages in stories of loss and conflict, the game demands more from all of us—fans, federations, and media alike.
Will the beautiful game embrace its responsibility to tell these stories fully and honestly? Or will it remain a sanctuary that sometimes softens the edges of brutal truths?
A Legacy Beyond the Game
Suleiman al-Obeid’s life and death invite us to look beyond scores and statistics. His legacy is entwined with the resilience of a people and a reminder that every player who steps onto a field carries a story—and sometimes, a struggle that deserves to be heard.
As Mohamed Salah’s blunt question reverberates, it insists on justice not only for al-Obeid but for all those caught in conflict’s unforgiving grip. It challenges us to see football not just as a game but as a stage that reflects humanity—the good, the tragic, and the hopeful.
In remembering Suleiman al-Obeid, we honor a life defined by talent, family, and unwavering hope amid darkness. And perhaps, through his story, we find a renewed call for empathy, awareness, and change in a world where too many lives like his are cut tragically short.
