&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Who is footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid, nicknamed 'Palestinian Pele' criticised by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah?")
Liverpool star footballer Mohamed Salah has been in headlines for non-footballing reasons as the Egyptian took a dig at UEFA (European football’s apex body) for sending a tribute message to Suleiman Al-Obeid. The footballer who died in the Israeli attacks on Friday (Aug 8) was nicknamed “Palestinian Pele” for his attacking play. However, the less popular star quickly became a talking point after Salah questioned UEFA for posting a tribute message. So who is Suleiman Al-Obeid and why is he in the news?
Suleiman Al-Obeid’s profile
Born in Gaza (according to local reports) on 24 March 1984, Al-Obeid came through hard poverty before emerging as a star for the nation. A football addict, Al-Obeid developed a hunger for scoring goals and quickly took the centre stage whenever he was given the opportunity. Having scored goals in plenty, Al-Obeid was nicknamed “Palestinian Pele” (adopting the name from Brazilian football legend Pelé) before he started playing for the youth side of the nation.
It was not until 2007 that he earned his maiden international cap as he made his debut in 2007. During this period, he represented Khadamat Al-Shatea, a local club in Palestine. It would take three years for Al-Obeid to score his maiden goal for the nation. He scored his first international goal during the 2010 West Asian Football Federation Championship in a match against Yemen. Palestine would lose the match 3-1 while Al-Obeid carried the flag for the nation.
ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Virat Kohli, 5 Indian batters with most runs in Asia Cup (ODIs + T20Is)
Al-Obeid’s second and only other international goal came against Indonesia as Palestine lost 4-1 in a friendly contest at the Manahan Stadium in Surakarta. Al-Obeid’s last of 24 appearances came in 2013 before he was left out of the squad.
Trending Stories
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
Older than Himalayas: 85mn-year-old Kewra plant reached India 24mn years ago, fossil discovery in Assam shows
)
FACT CHECK: Was Abhijit Dipke detained during CJP's Parliament march? Here's what police say
)
Karoline Leavitt to be US Vice President when Usha Vance gives birth? JD Vance says...
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the S-400 uses solid rocket fuel instead of liquid fuel
)
'Chalo Sansad' march today: Section 163 in force, Delhi Police remove barricades; unfazed Dharmendra Pradhan meets NEET topper
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 awards race: Who are Golden Boot, Golden Ball and Golden Glove contenders ahead of the final
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026: 5 football stars who went viral on social media during the tournament
)
Xi Jinping's new AI bloc: China launches 'World AI Body' with Pakistan and Russia in, India out
)
'There is no need for...': PM Modi takes a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, sends big message amid Parliament March
)
'Could be bombed at any moment': What Iran's Araghchi told Trump envoy Witkoff during negotiations
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s tail fins are canted to minimize its radar footprint
)
Argentina's racism problem: How football chants reflect a deeper historical legacy
)
JD and Usha Vance welcome fourth child: Who serves as acting US vice president during Vance's paternity leave?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
)
Truck loaded with stones, metro stations closed: What's happening at Jantar Mantar now
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Global air power ranking 2026: India surpasses China
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
Imran Khan's sister links India-Pakistan 2025 conflict to Israel recognition plans
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
Heavy sanctions loom over Argentine players after ugly brawl following final whistle in World Cup final
)
Maha CM Wife Amruta Fadnavis' Yoga Day appearance sparks social media debate over attire | Watch
)
Tulsi Gabbard's brother Batarti accused of luring children to hotel room in Hawaii
)
US strikes Iran, sirens heard in Kuwait, one American soldier killed in Iraq: What's happening in West Asia
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
According to the Palestine Football Association, on 6 August 2025, Obeid was shot and killed by Israeli forces in Gaza while waiting for humanitarian aid alongside other civilians. He was survived by his wife and five children.
