Eran Zahavi Misses Football, Embraces New Ventures

Former Israeli football star Eran Zahavi expressed his longing for the game he left behind over a year ago, stating, "I miss football. Unequivocally. We don't need to think about what we don't have right now, be thankful for what we have right now. The world belongs to the young," he said. Zahavi, speaking ahead of a match between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem, reflected on his post-retirement life and the upcoming Champions League season.

While football remains close to his heart, Zahavi is actively pursuing new ventures, including a new padel project. "Football is always in the heart, but I am into other things. I am doing something I really love. We are trying to take it a step forward and I hope we will do it," he explained.

Analyzing the upcoming match, Zahavi noted the pressure on Beitar Jerusalem but cautioned against underestimating a wounded team. "Beitar against Hapoel T.A. is always a big game. Beitar is coming under pressure, but a wounded animal is not a small trap. You don't need to make dramas out of one game. Beitar is very dangerous, Hapoel has been looking good since the start of the season," he commented, adding that he misses these types of games.

Regarding the Champions League, Zahavi found it difficult to pick a favorite early on but expressed skepticism about Real Madrid's chances under coach Jose Mourinho. "It's hard to choose a favorite, after a few games we will know," he said, and when asked about Real Madrid's prospects, he stated, "I believe a little less in Jose Mourinho."