Hapoel Be'er Sheva's Signing of João Victor Sparks Debate Among Hungarian ZTE Fans

In the summer 2026 transfer window, Israeli champions Hapoel Be'er Sheva completed the signing of 22-year-old Brazilian left winger João Victor from Hungarian club ZTE. The deal reportedly cost Be'er Sheva 1.7 million euros plus bonuses and a 20% sell-on clause, after competing with European clubs including Poland's Górnik Zabrze.

João Victor joined ZTE in summer 2025 from Brazilian club Ceará for about 200,000 euros on a contract until 2028. Under coach Nuno Campos, he quickly became a key player, making 33 league appearances in the 2025/2026 season with seven goals and one assist, totaling 38 appearances, nine goals, and six assists across all competitions. He notably scored a crucial equalizer in the Hungarian Cup semifinal against Budapest Honvéd, helping ZTE reach the final.

Despite these solid stats, Hungarian fan forums reveal mixed feelings about his departure. Some fans expressed professional indifference, questioning his consistency and star status. However, many were stunned by the high transfer fee, viewing it as excessive for a player they considered average. They welcomed the roughly 1.5 million euro profit ZTE made within a year.

The sale reignited debate over ZTE's sports management strategy under sporting director András Hornet and president Damián Pedrosa. Some fans worry that selling key players harms team spirit and local identity, especially after losing young talent Bence Várkonyi to Qarabağ FK. Others defend the club's economic model as a successful talent development and sales platform, highlighting its financial stability and ability to reinvest in quality signings.

Additionally, fans speculated that early transfer rumors on social media were orchestrated leaks by ZTE's management to create artificial hype and pressure Be'er Sheva into paying a premium. This tactic reportedly succeeded, resulting in a record fee.

An ironic twist emerged due to the ongoing conflict in Israel, which prevents Israeli clubs from hosting international matches at home. Hapoel Be'er Sheva announced it would play its UEFA Champions League qualifiers in Hungary, amusing ZTE supporters who noted that João Victor could soon be seen playing live again in Hungary, possibly facing ZTE if their team advances in the competition.

The transfer has thus sparked a multifaceted discussion among Hungarian fans about player value, club strategy, and the broader geopolitical context affecting football.