Maccabi Haifa's Most Expensive Foreign Player Describes Difficult Time in Israel

Matias Nahuel, who signed with Maccabi Haifa in summer 2024 as a European U19 champion with Spain, was the club's most expensive foreign signing at around 1.9 million euros. The club expected him to lead the team to new heights, but after two difficult years, he was released this week. In an interview in Spain, Nahuel described his time in Israel as one of the hardest periods of his life, marked by mental anguish and distraction from football due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Nahuel recounted that shortly after arriving, he and his family were forced to move hotels because of impending bombings, which deeply affected his focus and well-being. He said, "My head was not only on football. I constantly thought about my family, their health and safety, and what might happen." He called the experience a "complete ordeal, especially mentally," and said the constant conflict made it impossible for him to concentrate on his sport, contributing to an injury.

Regarding the war, Nahuel emphasized his neutrality, stating he does not support any political party or ideology. He expressed hope for peace and condemned the loss of innocent lives, saying, "I believe people should help each other, not kill each other. This situation causes the deaths of innocent people, and I cannot agree with that."