Salah raises voice on UEFA tribute to Palestine player asking ‘Can you tell us how he died?’ on social media.
In a commemorative post, Mohamed Salah has blasted Uefa for omitting to explain the death of a football player known as the “Palestinian Pelé.”
According to the Palestine Football Association (PFA), Israeli forces targeted people in southern Gaza on Wednesday while they were waiting for humanitarian relief, killing 41-year-old Suleiman al-Obeid.
“Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pelé’,” Uefa posted on X on Friday. “A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”
Salah replied to Uefa’s post on Saturday, saying: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?
Throughout the conflict, the Liverpool player and Egypt star has repeatedly expressed compassion for the people of Gaza. He contributed to the Egyptian Red Cross’s relief operations in the area two years ago.
After making his debut in 2007, Obeid became a regular in the Palestinian national team. According to the PFA last week, he earned 24 caps and scored twice, most notably with a scissor-kick against Yemen in the 2010 West Asian Football Federation tournament.
Because of his skill on the pitch, he was dubbed “the Palestinian Pelé,” a reference to the renowned Brazilian who is regarded as one of the best players of all time.
With Obeid’s passing, the number of athletes murdered in Gaza since the start of the conflict has risen to at least 662, including their families.