Eyal Golasa Reflects on Career, Praises Maccabi Tel Aviv

Former Israeli midfielder Eyal Golasa, 34, has announced his retirement from professional football after a career that saw him play for Maccabi Haifa, PAOK Thessaloniki, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, among others. Golasa, who was once compared to Yossi Benayoun, spent eight years with Maccabi Tel Aviv, winning three league titles and one State Cup. He described his decision to retire as stemming from a moment at the Maccabi Petah Tikva facility, where he realized his playing days were over, exacerbated by a personal family matter and a reluctance to undergo further surgery.

Reflecting on his move to Maccabi Tel Aviv from PAOK, Golasa credited his wife's advice for choosing the challenge of a new chapter in Tel Aviv over a return to Maccabi Haifa. He also addressed the historically hostile reception he received from some Maccabi Haifa fans, stating he was prepared for it and believes true fans remember his positive contributions. Golasa recounted his experience with coach Vladimir Ivić at PAOK, initially a difficult relationship due to contract issues, but later evolving into a strong working dynamic when Ivić joined Maccabi Tel Aviv, where Golasa felt understood and valued.

Golasa expressed immense love for Maccabi Tel Aviv, calling it "the best club to be in in the country" and crediting it with shaping him significantly. He acknowledged a difficult end to his tenure there, feeling underutilized by coach Robi Keane despite his perceived quality, and receiving numerous messages from fans during games he didn't play. He also touched upon his ambivalent relationship with football itself, admitting a lack of deep knowledge beyond his playing career, and detailed the career-altering knee injury that led to his retirement.

Looking ahead, Golasa is considering a professional role at his boyhood club, Beitar Tiv'on, and mentioned his observance of Shabbat, a practice he maintained throughout his career. He also briefly mentioned playing with Dimitar Berbatov at PAOK as a standout experience and identified a 4-3 victory over Maccabi Haifa as one of his most memorable games.