Haim Revivo Surprised by Son Roy's Rapid Spanish Soccer Success

Haim Revivo, the former Israeli soccer star, expressed his astonishment at his son Roy's swift integration and impressive performance in Spain's La Liga. Roy Revivo has quickly become a key player for his new club, Elche, recently contributing two assists within three minutes to secure a 3-1 victory over Espanyol. Haim Revivo shared in his podcast, "Revivo and Shachner," that he never anticipated such rapid progress from his son in the initial games.

Haim recalled preparing Roy for a potential move to Spain a year and a half prior, emphasizing the importance of learning the language. He also noted that Elche's coach, Ancelmi, remembered Roy from a past match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Porto, recalling how Roy had caused him difficulties on the field. Despite the early success, Haim cautioned that Roy still needs time to adapt to the demanding pace and workload of Spanish football, estimating it will take several months.

Roy himself experienced a significant moment after playing against Real Madrid, describing the speed of players like Mbappé as "crazy" and noting the relentless pace of the game in Spain, which continues at full intensity until the final whistle, unlike in the Israeli league. Haim also revealed the emotional struggles Roy faced before the transfer, detailing his son's poor mental state, lack of appetite, and difficulty sleeping, which he prioritized over footballing concerns.

The transfer process was fraught with difficulty, with Haim initiating late-night calls to Maccabi Tel Aviv officials, including Jack Angellidis, to facilitate the move. He stated that if the transfer hadn't happened in the summer or by January, Roy would not have extended his contract. Ultimately, a crucial conversation with Angellidis and Steven, where they cited owner Mitch Goldhar's directive to let the player go if promised, led to the deal being finalized in the early morning hours, allowing Roy to depart for Spain.