SUMMARY
- Mohammed Barakat was a Palestinian soccer player who played for Ahly Gaza.
- Mohammed Barakat has recently died from an airstrike that struck his family home.
A stunning video of late Palestinian soccer star Mohammed Barakat has been making the rounds on social media platforms. Over the last few months, the world has been witnessing the horrors of the terrifying Israel-Hamas conflict that has led to the loss of thousands of lives. However, the soccer world has been shocked to see Barakat’s video, which was posted shortly before his death.
Mohammed Barakat was a Palestinian soccer player who played for the local soccer club Ahly Gaza. Moreover, Barakat also recorded three appearances for the Palestine national soccer team. According to reports, Barakat lived in Khan Younis, a city located in the southern part of war-torn Gaza. He died from a deadly Israeli airstrike that struck his family home on the first day of the Islamic holy month, Ramazan.
As bombs fall, Palestinian footballer Mohammed Barakat bids a tearful farewell message to his beloved ones before an Israeli airstrike hit his home.
He was one of the best scorers in Gaza.
Still silence from @FIFAcom, not even a gesture to express the most basic level of concern pic.twitter.com/V8C14FZWlG— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) March 16, 2024
Shortly before his death, Barakat shared a video where he bid his farewell message (shared by @leylahamed). In the video, as Barakat was speaking, sounds of bombs and gunfire could be heard. Following his death, several fans have criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino for remaining silent.
The fans have questioned FIFA’s lack of response and concern, with one fan even writing, “They have gone deaf, blind.” A user wrote, “This is absolutely heartbreaking. The strength these people are showing is incredible.”
After his death, local soccer player Khalid Abu-Habel mourned Barakat’s death and labeled it a “huge loss for Palestinian football.” Barakat, who was 39, also used to play for the Khan Younis Youth Club. Not only did he score 114 goals for the club, but he also captained the side. He also used to play for clubs like Al-Wehdat and the Saudi Arabian club Al-Shoala.
Mohammed Barakat joins the long list of soccer players who have died in the ongoing war
As saddening as Mohammed Barakat’s death is for the soccer world, he isn’t the first soccer player who has lost his life during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. According to the Palestinian Football Association, between October 7 (the day the conflict started) to December 6, as many as 85 athletes have lost their lives. Among the 85 athletes, 55 were soccer players.
🤲🏼🇵🇸 #Palestine #SaveSheikhJarrah pic.twitter.com/t1JdD24chc
— Riyad Mahrez (@Mahrez22) May 10, 2021
Shockingly, among the 55 soccer players who died, 18 were children. Moreover, as many as four soccer players have been severely injured, and three athletes have also been detained in the West Bank.
Since the aggression started, several soccer players, like ex-Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez, Al-Nassr star Sadio Mane, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, and ex-Manchester United star Eric Cantona, have appealed to the concerned authorities to bring the war to an end.