Israeli-American Football Talent Ariel Amos Shines at Maccabiah Games

Ariel Amos, a promising football player with roots in a family of footballers, is making a name for himself at the Maccabiah Games, which began on July 1, 2026. Born and raised in the United States, Amos has trained with top Israeli clubs including Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa, and caught the attention of Gil Livenda, the youth director at Hapoel Petah Tikva. Despite his potential, Amos chose to complete his studies in the US before committing to an Israeli club.

Amos started playing organized football at age seven in New Jersey and has trained intensively, including attending Barcelona’s La Masia academy summer camps in Spain for three consecutive years. Standing 186 cm tall, he plays primarily as a right back but can also serve as a center back. His physical strength, speed, ball control, and fitness have impressed coaches and scouts alike.

Currently playing for Cedar Stars Academy, a club known for producing players who advance to the top American leagues, Amos helped his team win the league championship and compete in a prestigious tournament in Utah. He expresses a strong desire to play professionally in Israel, calling it the "Holy Land" and his ultimate dream. His father, who also plays in his age group, supports him, and the family is deeply passionate about football.

Amos’s dedication is evident in his disciplined lifestyle, modeled after Cristiano Ronaldo and Ashraf Hakimi. He is committed to balancing his education with his football career and remains open to offers from leading Israeli youth teams. His participation in the Maccabiah Games is both a competition and an opportunity to showcase his talent to Israeli clubs.

The Maccabiah Games continue to reveal overlooked Jewish football talents worldwide, following previous successes like Leonid Kropnik and Niko Olesk. Amos’s story highlights the potential for Israeli clubs to discover skilled players within global Jewish communities.