Eran Zahavi Reveals Truth Behind Israel National Team Dispute and Denies Room Demand Was Cause

Former Israeli national football team star Eran Zahavi addressed the controversy surrounding his exclusion from the national team in 2022 during an interview on the "Asnaim" program aired on Channel 13. Zahavi denied that his demand for a separate hotel room was the reason for his omission, asserting instead that former sporting director Yossi Benayoun simply did not want him on the team. "Enough with all the lies and media spins," Zahavi said, urging honesty about the situation. He claimed Benayoun avoided including him by saying, "How do we create chaos?" and believed he could succeed without Zahavi.

The dispute erupted when Zahavi was left out of the squad, with Benayoun and then-coach Alon Hazan explaining that the decision was linked to Zahavi's request for a single room during team gatherings, while the team policy was to share rooms in pairs. Zahavi expressed that he was deeply hurt by Benayoun's actions but acknowledged their complicated relationship. When asked about perceptions that he might see himself above other players, Zahavi responded that if that was the case, he should simply not be invited.

Zahavi also addressed criticism from other players questioning why he deserved special treatment, attributing it to jealousy and inability to match his professionalism and routine. He insisted that if every player wanted a single room, it should be allowed and said he was willing to pay for it himself. Despite the fallout, Zahavi eventually reconciled with Benayoun and Hazan and returned to the national team in October 2023 for the final Euro 2024 qualifiers. However, his recent comments suggest lingering tensions from the episode remain.