By Gbemniyi
In the past week, the sports world has witnessed the significant impact of the tragic events in Gaza on the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict.
Several renowned athletes, particularly football players, have used their influential social media platforms to support Palestine and call for peace in the region.
READ ALSO: Israel vs Gaza: Dutch footballer Anwar El-Ghazi suspended over support for Palestine
Below, we highlight eight football stars who have supported Palestine.
Mohammed Salah
Though initially criticized for not openly addressing the conflict, the Egyptian winger for Liverpool reportedly contributed to Gaza through the Egyptian Red Crescent.
Mohamed Elneny
Elneny, an Egyptian midfielder, changed his Instagram profile picture to the Palestinian flag, indicating his endorsement of the Palestinian cause.
Elneny tweeted: “My heart and my soul and my support for you, Palestine,” followed by a picture of the Palestinian flag and a peace emoji.
Karim Benzema
The French footballer voiced his support for the Palestinian people during the conflict, drawing both attention and controversy due to his stance.
Benzema wrote: “All our prayers for the residents of Gaza who are once again victims of these unjust bombings which spare no women or children.”
Mesut Ozil
The retired German footballer expressed his support for Palestine on social media, sharing a “Free Palestine” photo and calling for an end to the war.
Eric Cantona
The Manchester United legend showed his support for Palestine by posting a political activist’s letter on social media, urging an end to the Israeli government’s apartheid.
Jules Kounde
French FC Barcelona player Kounde shared a message on social media addressing the situation in Palestine, emphasizing the importance of understanding the full context before making judgments.
he wrote on the X platform: “Take the time to read the messages and listen to the entire video clips before responding and making hasty judgments. This is very important. Thank you.”
Youcef Atal
The Algerian player faced suspension from Ligue 1 club OG Nice after posting a contentious statement on social media regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, despite later removing the tweet and issuing an apology.
Celtic footballers
Supporters of the Scottish Premier League club Celtic FC, known as the “Green Brigade,” have consistently expressed their support for Palestine through banners and flags, continuing a tradition of solidarity.
Finally, these football stars have used their platforms to draw attention to the ongoing conflict and advocate for peace and justice in the region.
