Omer Atzili

Israeli footballer (born 1993)

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Omer Atzili

Atzili captaining[1] Beitar Jerusalem in 2015

Personal information
Full name|  Omer Yosef Atzili[2]
Date of birth|  (1993-07-27) 27 July 1993 (age 32)
Place of birth|  Holon, Israel[3]
Height|  1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[4][5][3]
Position(s)|  Attacking midfielder, winger
Team information

Current team

|  Beitar Jerusalem
Youth career
2002–2009|  Maccabi Tel Aviv
2010–2013|  Hapoel Rishon LeZion
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2011–2013|  Hapoel Rishon LeZion|  37|  (7)
2013–2016|  Beitar Jerusalem|  78|  (14)
2016–2017|  Granada|  9|  (0)
2017–2020|  Maccabi Tel Aviv|  67|  (29)
2020–2021|  APOEL|  11|  (0)
2021–2023|  Maccabi Haifa|  91|  (46)
2023–2024|  Al Ain|  20|  (4)
2024–2025|  Omonia|  7|  (0)
2025–|  Beitar Jerusalem|  19|  (7)
International career‡
2012|  Israel U19|  3|  (0)
2013|  Israel U21|  3|  (0)
2016–2022|  Israel|  6|  (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 27 June 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 24 September 2022

Omer Yosef Atzili[2] Hebrew: עומר יוסף אצילי; born (1993-07-27)27 July 1993) is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for Israeli Premier League club Beitar Jerusalem.

Atzili was a full international from 2016 to 2022, earning six senior caps for his native Israel.

## Early and personal life

[edit]

Atzili was born and raised in Holon, Israel, to an Israeli family of Ashkenazi Jewish (Romanian-Jewish) descent.[6][7][8] His maternal grandfather was born in Bucharest, Romania.[8]

He also holds a Romanian passport, on account of his Ashkenazi Jewish ancestors, which eases the move to certain European football leagues.[9][8][6][7]

He married his Israeli girlfriend Or (née Ben-David) in 2018.[10] They have a son who was born in 2018,[11] and a daughter born in 2020.[12] They currently reside in Israel's capital city of Jerusalem.[citation needed]

## Club career

[edit]

Atzili started his career at Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv's youth setup in 2002. In 2010, he moved to Israeli side Hapoel Rishon LeZion, spending the last season out of three with them playing for both the youth and senior squads.

### Hapoel Rishon LeZion

[edit]

Atzili made his senior debut on 30 July 2011, coming on as a 77th minute substitute in a 2–1 home win against Hapoel Be'er Sheva, during the Israel Toto Cup for the Israeli Premier League clubs.[13]

Atzili scored his first senior goal in the Israeli Premier League on 12 May 2012, in a 2–1 home loss against Hapoel Acre;[14] his side also suffered relegation in the end of the season. He subsequently became an important unit for the club in Liga Leumit, scoring six goals as his side missed out promotion in the play-offs; highlights included a brace in a 2–2 draw at Maccabi Petah Tikva on 10 May 2013.[15] Atzili helped his side win the 2012–13 Israel Toto Cup for the Israeli Liga Leumit clubs.

### Beitar Jerusalem

[edit]

Atzili with Beitar Jerusalem in 2016

On 30 July 2013, Atzili signed a four-year contract with Israeli Premier League club Beitar Jerusalem.[16] He made his first debut for the club on 24 August 2013, by starting in a 2–0 home loss against Hapoel Be'er Sheva,[17] and was mainly used as a substitute during his first season.

Atzili only became an undisputed starter for Beitar Jerusalem during the 2015–16 season, where he scored a career-best seven goals.[18]

He also captained Beitar Jerusalem.[19][1]

### Granada

[edit]

On 31 August 2016, Atzili signed a four-year deal with Spanish La Liga side Granada CF,[20] for a rumoured fee of €750,000.[21] He made his debut in the La Liga on 11 September, starting in a 2–1 home loss against SD Eibar.[22]

Atzili played 11 total league and cup matches, starting five, for the Andalusian club. He did not manage to score, the club was relegated at the end of the 2016–17 season and Atzili left Granada.[23]

### Maccabi Tel Aviv

[edit]

On 20 June 2017, Atzili signed a four-year deal with Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Tel Aviv.[24]

### APOEL

[edit]

On 23 August 2020, Atzili signed a two-year contract with the Cypriot First Division club APOEL.[25] In the mid-season transfer window he was released from his contract, leaving on 5 January 2021.[26]

### Maccabi Haifa

[edit]

On 13 January 2021, Atzili signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Haifa.[27]

On 23 August 2022, Atzili assisted his team's last qualifying goal during their 2022–23 UEFA Champions League Play-offs second leg against Serbian side Red Star Belgrade, with a 90th minute free kick that made a rival player score an own goal, earning Maccabi Haifa a 2–2 away draw[28] (5–4 on aggregate),[29][28] and a place in the UEFA Champions League Group Stage.[30] On 11 October 2022, Atzili scored both his first and second Champions League goals, by netting a brace in a 2–0 home win over Italian side Juventus, to be his club's first victory in the competition since the 2002–03 season.[31] He also received UEFA's Player of the Match award for this game.[32]

### Al Ain

[edit]

On 14 June 2023, he signed a three-year deal with UAE Pro League club Al Ain, becoming the first Israeli Jew to play in an Arab country. His annual salary is estimated to be around $1.9 million, excluding any victory bonuses.[33] During his presentation, he was introduced as a Romanian player rather than an Israeli. Prior to accepting the transfer, he had specific requests related to his faith, Judaism, allowing him the freedom to abstain from playing or training during various Israeli and Jewish holidays and memorial days. Additionally, a clause in the contract states that he will not participate in away matches outside the Emirates for the AFC Asian Champions League. This provision is in consideration of the potential encounters with clubs from countries that are extremely hostile against Jews and especially against his native Israel, such as Iran, Iraq, Lebanon or Syria, among several other Muslim or Arab countries in the AFC competitions. A great number of Emiratis expressed their opposition to his signing as well.[34][35]

[needs update]

### Omonia

[edit]

[needs update] He went to Omonoia Nicosia for vacations and to avoid taxes on Israel. As soon he avoid taxes holidays finished and he returned back to Israel

### Beitar Jerusalem

[edit]

Atzili returned to the Israeli Premier League club of his early career Beitar Jerusalem, for which he signed an initial contract on 24 December 2024.[36]

## International career

[edit]

Atzili represented Israel internationally at youth levels from under-19 to under-21.[37]

Atzili was first called-up to the Israeli senior national team on 31 August 2016, for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers match against Italy.[38] He then made his senior debut with Israel on 5 September 2016, substituting Nir Bitton in a 1–3 home loss against Italy.[39]

On 10 November 2022, Atzili announced his retirement from the Israel national team.[40]

## Career statistics

[edit]

As of match played 7 March 2024[4][5][3][needs update]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition  Club  | Season  | League  | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental  | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Granada | 2016–17 | La Liga | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | 11 | 0
Maccabi Tel Aviv | 2017–18 | Israeli Premier League | 17 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11[c] | 2 | – | 31 | 12
2018–19 | Israeli Premier League  | 29 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7[c] | 1 | – | 42 | 13
2019–20 | Israeli Premier League  | 21 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 8
Total  | 67 | 29 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 33
Apoel | 2020–21 | Cypriot First Division | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | – | 3[c] | 2 | – | 15 | 3
Maccabi Haifa | 2020–21 | Israeli Premier League  | 21 | 4 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – | 24 | 6
2021–22 | Israeli Premier League  | 33 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 12[d] | 5 | 1[e] | 0 | 53 | 27
2022–23 | Israeli Premier League  | 35 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12[f] | 2 | 1[e] | 1 | 53 | 27
Total  | 89 | 46 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 130 | 60
Al Ain | 2023–24 | UAE Pro League | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2[g] | 1 | — | 20 | 6
Career total  | 188 | 78 | 23 | 6 | 13 | 4 | 47 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 273 | 102

1. ^ Includes Copa del Rey, Israel State Cup, Cypriot Cup, UAE President's Cup
2. ^ Includes Toto Cup, UAE League Cup
3. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
4. ^ Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, ten appearances and four goals in UEFA Europa League
5. ^ a b Appearance in Israel Super Cup
6. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
7. ^ Appearances in AFC Champions League

## Honours

[edit]

Hapoel Rishon LeZion

* Israel Toto Cup (Liga Leumit): 2012–13

Maccabi Tel Aviv

* Israeli Premier League: 2018–19, 2019–20
* Israel Toto Cup (Ligat Ha'Al): 2017–18, 2018–19

Maccabi Haifa

* Israeli Premier League: 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
* Israel Toto Cup (Ligat Ha'Al): 2021–22
* Israel Super Cup: 2021

Al Ain

* AFC Champions League: 2023–24[41]

Individual

* Israeli Footballer of the Year: 2021–22, 2022–23
* Israeli Premier League Top scorer: 2021–22, 2022–23
* Israeli Premier League Top assist provider: 2020–21, 2021–22
* Israeli Premier League Player of the Month: December 2021, March 2023

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "ההתאחדות לכדורגל בישראל - פרטי משחק".
2. ^ a b "Israel - O. Atzili - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Int.soccerway.com.
3. ^ a b c Omer Atzili at BDFA (in Spanish)
4. ^ a b Omer Atzili at WorldFootball.net
5. ^ a b Omer Atzili at FBref.com
6. ^ a b "Maccabi players visit children's hospital". Maccabi-tlv.co.il. 11 September 2019.
7. ^ a b "Israeli duo enjoy Europa League wins". Jewishnews.timesofisrael.com. 10 July 2016.
8. ^ a b c "Cine e Omer Atzili, golgeterul cu origini românești care va juca împotriva naționalei" (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 9 February 2022.
9. ^ "Omer Atzili". Worldfootball.net.
10. ^ "היה שמח במיוחד: צפו ברגעי הטירוף בחתונה של עומר אצילי". Sport1.maariv.co.il. 3 January 2018.
11. ^ "בשעה טובה: בן בכור נולד לעומר אצילי ואור בן דוד". Sport1.maariv.co.il. 15 May 2018.
12. ^ טל, דודי (6 July 2020). "השחקן עומר אצילי מראשון לציון". השקמה ראשון לציון (in Hebrew).
13. ^ "ההתאחדות לכדורגל בישראל - פרטי משחק".
14. ^ "Hapoel Rishon Letzion 1–2 Hapoel Akko". Israel Football Association. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
15. ^ "Maccabi Ironi Petah Tikva 2–2 Hapoel Rishon Letzion". Israel Football Association. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
16. ^ "בית"ר ירושלים: עומר אצילי חתם לארבע שנים" [Beitar Jerusalem: Omer Atzili signs for four years] (in Hebrew). Walla!. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
17. ^ "Beitar Jerusalem 0–2 Hapoel Beer Sheva". Israel Football Association. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
18. ^ "Atzili Omer – 2015/2016 season". Israel Football Association. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
19. ^ ""בחלומות הכי גרועים לא חלמתי על זה"". 25 April 2016.
20. ^ "Omer Atzili, polivalencia para el Granada CF" [Omer Atzili, versatility for Granada CF] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
21. ^ "El israelí Omer Atzili ficha por el Granada" [Israeli Omer Atzili signs for Granada] (in Spanish). Marca. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
22. ^ "El Granada, ni con uno más" [Granada, not even with one more] (in Spanish). Marca. 11 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
23. ^ Yepes, Sergio (21 September 2017). "La resurrección de Atzili en Israel" [Atzili's resurrection in Israel]. Ideal (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 October 2022.
24. ^ "Azili Signs 4-Year-Deal". Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
25. ^ "רשמי: עומר אצילי חתם לשנתיים באפואל ניקוסיה" [Official: Omar Atzili signed for two years at Apoel Nicosia]. one.co.il (in Hebrew). 23 August 2020.
26. ^ "לקראת החתימה בחיפה: אצילי שוחרר מאפואל" [Ahead of the signing in Haifa: Atzili was released from Apoel]. one.co.il (in Hebrew). 5 January 2021.
27. ^ "ברוך הבא, עומר" (in Hebrew). Maccabi Haifa F.C. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
28. ^ a b "Crvena zvezda-M. Haifa | UEFA Champions League 2022/23".
29. ^ "M. Haifa-Crvena zvezda | UEFA Champions League 2022/23".
30. ^ "Maccabi Haifa advances to Champions League group stage for first time since 2009". The Times of Israel.
31. ^ "M. Haifa 2–0 Juventus". UEFA. 11 October 2022.
32. ^ @mhfootballclub (11 October 2022). "POTM 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
33. ^ i24NEWS (9 June 2023). "UAE club announces transfer of Israeli soccer player Omer Atzili". I24news. Retrieved 17 June 2023.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
34. ^ i24NEWS (15 June 2023). "Israeli soccer star Omer Atzili presented in UAE as Romanian player". I24news. Retrieved 17 June 2023.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
35. ^ "Israeli soccer star faces online abuse after transfer to UAE team". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
36. ^ Yizrif, Adir (24 December 2024). "Astonishment in Maccabi Haifa: Omer Azili signed with Beitar Jerusalem • We are waiting for your opinion, the fans". Haipo. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
37. ^ "ההתאחדות לכדורגל בישראל – Omer ATZILI".
38. ^ "Levy drafts in three uncapped players for Israel's World Cup opener". The Jewish Chronicle. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
39. ^ "Italy control Israel for comfortable win; Giorgio Chiellini sent off". ESPN. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
40. ^ "Atzili announced his retirement from the Israeli national team". 10 November 2022.
41. ^ "Al Ain claim historic second title". The AFC. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Omer Atzili.

* Omer Atzili at BDFA (in Spanish)
* Omer Atzili at FBref.com
* Omer Atzili at WorldFootball.net
* Omer Atzili – Israel Football Association league player details
* Omer Atzili – Israel Football Association national team player details
* Omer Atzili – UEFA competition record (archive)

* v
* t
* e

Beitar Jerusalem F.C. - current squad

* 1 Korenfein
* 2 Zasno
* 4 Carabalí
* 5 Cohen
* 7 Shua (c)
* 8 Levi
* 9 Kalu
* 10 Yona
* 11 Muzie
* 12 Dabush
* 15 Micha
* 17 Yusupov
* 18 Morozov
* 19 Mizrahi
* 20 Dahan
* 22 Ozer
* 24 Hugi
* 26 Kangani
* 29 Mendy
* 36 Zargari
* 38 Tavares
* 44 Deri
* 55 Silva
* 77 Atzili
* Ben Shimol
* Manager: Yitzhaki

* v
* t
* e

Israeli Footballer of the Year

* 1960: Levkovich
* 1961: Levkovich
* 1962: Matania
* 1963: Tish & Hodorov
* 1964: Spiegler
* 1965: Levin
* 1966: Rosenthal & Spiegler
* 1968: Numa
* 1969: Spiegler
* 1970: Spiegler
* 1971: Spiegler
* 1972: Gindin
* 1973: Rosen
* 1974: Ottman
* 1975: Benjamin
* 1976: Malmilian
* 1977: Topolansky
* 1978: Machnes
* 1979: A. Cohen I
* 1980: Vissoker
* 1981: Sinai
* 1982: Machnes
* 1983: Machnes
* 1984: Ohana
* 1985: Selecter
* 1986: Ran
* 1987: Malmilian
* 1988: E. Cohen
* 1989: Klinger
* 1990: Sinai
* 1991: Levine & Banin
* 1992: A. Cohen II
* 1993: Harazi
* 1994: Berkovic
* 1995: Revivo
* 1996: Revivo
* 1997: Ohana
* 1998: Abukasis
* 1999: Roso
* 2000: Elimelech
* 2001: Benayoun
* 2002: Roso
* 2003: Dego
* 2004: Davidovich
* 2005: Tal
* 2006: Boccoli
* 2007: Zandberg
* 2008: Alberman
* 2009: Enyeama
* 2010: Vermouth
* 2011: Refaelov
* 2012: Saba'a
* 2013: Atar
* 2014: Zahavi
* 2015: Zahavi
* 2016: Barda
* 2017: Vítor
* 2018: Maman
* 2019: Micha
* 2020: Glazer
* 2021: J. Cohen
* 2022: Atzili
* 2023: Atzili
* 2024: Zahavi

* v
* t
* e

Israeli Premier League top scorers

* 2000: Tubi
* 2001: Nimni
* 2002: Refua
* 2003: Abargil / Holtzman
* 2004: Haim / Holtzman
* 2005: Colautti
* 2006: Holtzman
* 2007: Azran
* 2008: Yeboah
* 2009: Abuhatzira / Atar / Yitzhaki
* 2010: Arbeitman
* 2011: Tamuz
* 2012: Saba'a
* 2013: Atar
* 2014: Zahavi
* 2015: Zahavi
* 2016: Zahavi
* 2017: Kjartansson
* 2018: Saba
* 2019: Sahar
* 2020: Rukavytsya
* 2021: Rukavytsya
* 2022: Atzili
* 2023: Atzili
* 2024: David / Zahavi
* 2025: Melamed

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template