Czech Football Official Claims Israel's Call-Up Was Response to Their Offer

Pavel Nedvěd, the General Manager of the Czech national football teams, stated that Israel's decision to call up 17-year-old Barcelona midfielder Orian Goren was a direct response to an offer made by the Czech Football Association. Goren, who is eligible to play for either nation due to his family roots, recently received his first call-up to the senior Israeli national team. Nedvěd, speaking at a press conference in the Czech Republic, suggested that Israel likely offered Goren a similar deal to what the Czechs had proposed. "It was a reaction to what we did. Israel probably offered him the same thing," Nedvěd was quoted as saying by local media. He added, "We would have been happy if he had chosen us, but it didn't happen. We wish him much success."

Nedvěd revealed that the entire Czech coaching staff had been in contact with Goren, offering him a place on the senior team, which he and his family greatly appreciated. However, Goren ultimately chose to represent Israel, a decision Nedvěd stated must be respected. Goren has already represented Israel at the youth level and has garnered significant attention in the Czech Republic due to his progress at Barcelona. He has been included in Barcelona's senior squad twice recently and has even drawn comparisons to Pedri from Nedvěd. Czech national team coach Santi Denia also expressed his admiration for Goren's abilities, noting that he "as a footballer, he naturally appeals."

Goren is now expected to join the senior Israeli squad for upcoming Nations League matches, following coach Ran Ben Shimon's decision to give him an opportunity. While the Czech Republic has not entirely ruled out the possibility of Goren representing them in the future, local media believe his choice to play for Israel significantly diminishes those chances.