Top Youth League Prospects to Watch as Israeli U19 Premier League Returns

The Israeli U19 Premier League is set to resume, showcasing the most promising young football talents of the current season. The league kicks off on Saturday with live coverage on Sport 5, following an exciting conclusion last year that highlighted the country’s football future.

Among the standout players is Noam Goldenberg, a 16.5-year-old attacking midfielder from Maccabi Haifa. Having advanced two age groups last season and signed a contract until 2029, Goldenberg is praised for his physicality and leadership, impressing senior coaches like Barak Bachar and Lior Rafaelov. He covered an extraordinary 12 kilometers in a match and scored 17 goals across all competitions, marking him as a key player for the youth team and a potential senior squad contributor.

Yotam Kalfa, a technically gifted playmaker from Hapoel Tel Aviv, is another rising star. Before turning 16, he joined the senior team’s training camp in Cyprus and even substituted for Omri Altman in a friendly match, a rare feat for such a young player. Kalfa recently signed a three-year contract and is expected to be one of the season’s breakout players, especially given Hapoel’s need in his position.

Ido Yosef, a striker from Maccabi Tel Aviv, scored 34 goals last season in the U17 category and is viewed as a modern forward with exceptional physical abilities. He is seen as a successor to former youth champions and is poised to make a significant impact this season.

Erez Didi, a winger from Maccabi Petah Tikva, is noted for his speed and two-footed skill, having already played in the U19 league last year and scored for Israel’s U16 national team against England. He is considered a major future talent from one of Israel’s top youth academies.

Lastly, Sahar Lavi, a defender from Maccabi Tel Aviv, has attracted interest from European clubs like Juventus and Benfica. As a former youth national team captain and a key player in Maccabi’s championship-winning youth team, Lavi is recognized for his leadership and defensive prowess, with expectations to develop further in physical and tactical aspects.

These players represent the next generation of Israeli football talent, with several already making strides toward senior professional careers as the new youth league season begins.