Noa Kirel Sparks Controversy With Argentina-Themed World Cup Song Amid Political Backlash

Israeli singer Noa Kirel released a new World Cup-inspired song titled "Think You're Messi," featuring a music video where she stands as a goalkeeper dressed in Argentina's national team kit, seemingly blocking shots from Spain's players. This imagery sparked outrage in some Spanish media outlets, which interpreted the video as a political statement criticizing Spain's stance during Israel's military operations in Gaza. The Spanish outlet Publico accused Kirel's video of promoting propaganda that equates Israel's actions with crimes against humanity and genocide.

Palestinian journalist Leila Hamed, known for her critical views on Israel, shared the video on social media, highlighting that Kirel's partner is Daniel Peretz, a goalkeeper with a modest career in European football. Hamed's tweet, seen by over 3.6 million users on X (formerly Twitter), criticized the Israeli obsession with Spain since the country sided with Palestine and questioned Adidas's sponsorship of the video. She called on the Spanish Football Federation to respond.

The song's lyrics playfully reference football stars Messi and Ronaldo, mixing sports metaphors with a competitive tone. Meanwhile, the controversy also drew attention to Daniel Peretz, who has played for Bayern Munich, Hamburg, and currently in the Championship league, with Hamed mocking his performance.

The incident highlights the intersection of sports, entertainment, and political tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with cultural products like music videos becoming focal points for broader geopolitical debates.