By Aaior K. Comfort

Israel’s football captain, Dor Peretz, admitted the emotional difficulty of focusing on football while his country is at war. Speaking ahead of Israel’s Nations League match against France in Budapest, the 29-year-old midfielder said, “It’s very difficult, especially when soldiers are defending our country and there are still hostages.”

Peretz expressed his pride in representing Israel during such challenging times, acknowledging the privilege of being able to bring hope to his nation through football. “There are things more important than the game, but we will do our best for our country,” he added.

Israel’s coach, Ran Ben Shimon, echoed Peretz’s sentiments, stating that while the team is deeply affected by the ongoing conflict, their focus remains on the upcoming game.

Israel’s military actions have escalated following the October 7 attack by Hamas militants, with significant casualties on both sides. The conflict has also seen Israel engaging Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.

Despite the challenges, the Israeli football team continues to compete, providing a sense of pride and resilience to their country.