“Tell Us How He Died?” Mo Salah Slams UEFA Tribute to ‘Palestinian Pele’ Killed in Israeli Attack in Gaza
London (Quds News Network)- Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has slammed the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)’s tribute to the late Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele”, after European football’s governing body failed to reference the circumstances surrounding his death this week. Al-Obeid was killed in an Israeli attack on starving civilians waiting for food in Gaza.
The Palestine Football Association said al-Obeid, 41, was killed in an Israeli attack on starving civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
He is among 421 footballers killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the Palestinian Football Association.
In a brief post on the social media platform X, UEFA called the former national team member “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times”.
Mo Salah responded: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
Al-Obeid scored over 100 goals during his career, making him one of Palestine’s brightest football stars. He was born in Gaza on March 24, 1984. He began with Shabab al-Shati Club, later playing for Markaz Shabab al-Am’ari in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Sports Club.He debuted for the national team in 2007 and earned 24 caps. He scored two goals, including a famous bicycle kick against Yemen in the 2010 West Asian Football Championship.
His skill earned him the nickname “Gaza’s Pelé,” in tribute to the Brazilian legend.
