Sports04:42 · 9h ago

Maccabi Netanya's Yarin Abuhatzira Poised for Early Senior Debut at 15

YnetCenter

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

Key points

01Yarin Abuhatzira, 15, is part of Maccabi Netanya's senior squad and scored three pre-season goals.
02He received special permission to play professionally before turning 16 from the Israeli Football Association.
03Coaches compare him to top Israeli players and praise his speed, technique, and goal-scoring.
04He has scored 73 goals across youth levels and plays for Israel's under-16 national team.
05Yarin is about to sign a new contract with a 100,000-euro release clause.
06His father and fitness coach carefully manage his development to maintain mental strength and physical fitness.

In this story

People

Yarin Abuhatzira, Shimon Abuhatzira, Roni Levi, Beni Lam, Ofir Haim, Danny Bonder, Hazi Nachshoni, Ronen Harazi

OrganizationsMaccabi Netanya, Israeli Football Association, Israel Under-16 National Team

PlacesKiryat Shmona, Netanya, Poland, Israel

The story · English

Yarin Abuhatzira, a 15-year-old forward from Maccabi Netanya, is generating significant excitement ahead of the 2026/27 Israeli Premier League season. Having joined Netanya's youth system after returning from northern Israel in 2020, Yarin quickly stood out for his exceptional finishing skills and technique. Now part of the senior team under coach Roni Levi, he has already scored three goals in pre-season friendlies, including a brace against Krakovia Krakow during their training camp in Poland.

Yarin's talent was first noticed by his father, former player Shimon Abuhatzira, during his early childhood in Kiryat Shmona. Despite being only eight, Yarin was allowed to play with older age groups due to his advanced abilities. His youth career boasts impressive goal tallies: 29 goals in under-13, 21 in under-15, and 23 in under-17 categories. His rapid development earned him a special permit from the Israeli Football Association to compete in senior matches before turning 16.

Maccabi Netanya's youth director, Beni Lam, compared Yarin to Israeli star Amin Yamal, praising his unpredictability and goal-scoring instinct. Similarly, Israel's under-19 national team coach, Ofir Haim, highlighted Yarin's speed, technique, and clinical finishing, likening him to a blend of Ronen Harazi and Omer Atzili. Yarin also plays for Israel's under-16 national team, where coach Danny Bonder describes him as mature, focused, and mentally strong.

Physiotherapist and fitness coach Hazi Nachshoni, who works with Yarin, emphasized his rare combination of explosive speed and quick recovery, essential traits for a winger and forward. The Abuhatzira family carefully manages Yarin's development, with his father providing mental coaching to keep him grounded and confident. Yarin is on the verge of signing an improved contract with Netanya, which includes a release clause of 100,000 euros.

If he makes his senior league debut this season, Yarin will join a select group of players who debuted in the Israeli Premier League before age 17. His coaches and family believe his potential is limitless, with expectations that Netanya and the Israeli league are just stepping stones toward a future in top European football.

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