Tay Abed, one of Israeli soccer's brightest prospects, revealed he turned down a staggering offer from Emirati club Al Jazira that would have paid him millions of euros and up to €70,000 for each point earned—more than €200,000 per win—on one condition: he would have to give up his Israeli national team eligibility and play for the United Arab Emirates.
In an exclusive interview with ynet and its parent newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Abed said the club's Abu Dhabi-based ownership pushed hard for the move, envisioning him as the face of the UAE national team.
“They believed in me in a way that didn’t make sense, like I was Lionel Messi landing there,” Abed said. “But I couldn’t agree to give up the Israeli national team. My country is my pride, representing it is the greatest honor, especially during this time. No one will take away my dream of leading my homeland to a major tournament. I’m first and foremost Israeli. No amount of money—and this was crates of money—can buy me. I'm Israeli, period.”
The 21-year-old midfielder signed last week with Levante in Spain’s top division, in one of the most high-profile transfers for an Israeli player in recent years. Speaking after arriving in Valencia, Abed said the UAE deal would have secured not only his future, but his family’s as well. Still, he didn’t hesitate to walk away.
On Friday night, unable to play due to delayed international clearance from PSV Eindhoven, his former Dutch club, Abed watched from the stands as Levante earned its first home win of the season, a 3-2 victory over Elche. He’s expected to join the squad for their upcoming away match against Atlético Madrid.