Footballer Ido Exberd Recounts Near-Death Battle and Forced Retirement
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Former top-scoring footballer Ido Exberd is recovering after a life-threatening illness in January 2025 that led to amputations and a lung transplant. Exberd, who was on a ventilator for three months and had doctors call his family to say goodbye, stated he did not retire but was "taken away by God." His career included playing for clubs like Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Netanya.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Footballer Ido Exberd survived a life-threatening illness and underwent a lung transplant.
- Exberd had five toes amputated from his left foot and four from his right due to poor blood flow.
- He was on a ventilator and in a coma for three months during his hospitalization.
- Doctors described his case as "one in a billion" and called his family to say goodbye multiple times.
- Exberd stated he did not retire but was "taken away by God" due to his medical condition.
- He previously played for clubs including Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Netanya.
Footballer Ido Exberd, once known as the "top scorer," is reflecting on his life and career after a severe medical crisis that nearly cost him his life. Exberd stated that he did not retire voluntarily, but was "taken away by God." He expressed a lack of fear of death, emphasizing his daily gratitude for being alive.
Exberd's health deteriorated rapidly in January 2025 when he was 35 and playing for Maccabi Yavne in Liga Alef South. He was hospitalized at Ichilov Hospital with severe pneumonia, a complication of the flu. He spent approximately three months on a ventilator and in an induced coma. Doctors reportedly called his family to say goodbye four times, describing his case as "one in a billion."
The severe illness led to a critical drop in blood flow to his legs, necessitating the amputation of five toes on his left foot and four on his right. His life was ultimately saved by a lung transplant from a 40-year-old woman who had passed away suddenly. Exberd expressed profound gratitude to the donor and her family, stating he would not be alive without them.
Before falling ill, Exberd had scored 13 goals for Maccabi Yavne. His career included stints with prominent clubs such as Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Petah Tikva, Maccabi Netanya, and Hapoel Be'er Sheva. He also contributed to promotions to the National League with Maccabi Herzliya and Hapoel Kfar Shalem. His career was halted by unforeseen circumstances, and he continues to battle for recovery.