Israeli Football Experts Urge Young Players to Avoid MLS and Focus on European Leagues

A recent opinion piece questions the value of young Israeli footballers joining the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, describing the league as weak and non-competitive. The article argues that MLS suits players at the end of their careers, such as Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Luis Suarez, rather than promising young talents like Dor Turgeman, Tai Baribo, or Said Abu Farhi. These younger players need to develop in more competitive environments to elevate the Israeli national team on the international stage.

The writer highlights successful examples of Israeli players who chose to compete in European leagues, such as Manor Solomon in England and Anan Khalaily in a top European league. The recommended path for young Israeli players is to start in mid-tier European leagues like Belgium, Switzerland, or Poland, and then progress to top-tier leagues. The article dismisses moves to less competitive leagues in Australia, India, or Vietnam, even if they offer high salaries, emphasizing that the priority should be improving Israeli football quality rather than financial gain at a young age.

The piece calls on the media to stop endorsing transfers to leagues like MLS that may appear glamorous but ultimately hinder professional growth. Instead, it urges a clear stance that leading Israeli players must compete in Europe's top leagues to help the national team advance. Readers are invited to share their views on whether MLS is a legitimate destination for young Israeli players or if Europe remains the only viable option for their development.