Lebanon Of Footballer Celine Haider was about to make her dream of playing for her country’s women’s team a reality, but the 19-year-old has been put into a medically induced coma after being injured in an Israeli airstrike.
Selene Haider’s family was among more than a million people who fled south Beirut and other Hezbollah strongholds due to Israeli bombardment after fighting broke out in September.
“But Celine had to return to (south) Beirut for her education and training,” her father, Abbas Haider, told AFP news agency.
He said that ‘after the announcement of evacuation or the bombing intensified, she would leave the house and then she would return home to sleep at night.’
Now he is another player, who became a victim of Israeli attacks. The attacks have already forced the Lebanese Football Association to indefinitely suspend football competitions in their country.
On Saturday, her father called to warn her of new evacuation orders posted online by the Israeli army, and she left home.
But soon after, ‘my wife called me to tell me Celine was in the hospital,’ he said.
She was seriously injured in an Israeli attack on her hometown, when the air force struck the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The skull was fractured
The video, which shows Celine Haider lying unconscious on the ground, her face covered in blood, while a young man near her cries in pain, has taken Lebanese social media by storm.
An unidentified handout photo obtained from the Lebanese Football Association on Nov. 19, 2024 shows Lebanese footballer Celine Haider celebrating with the tournament cup after a soccer match in Jordan (Lebanese Football Association via A FP)
His mother, Sana Shahroor, told the news agency AFP that the attack happened nearby and hit him in the head. My daughter has a brain haemorrhage, her skull is fractured.’
Shahroor said her daughter had sent her a message, asking her to make her favorite dishes, but ‘an hour later her friend called to say she was injured.’
“My daughter is a heroine, she will rise,” he said. His eyes were red with tears.
He said, ‘She used to dream of competing abroad. She wants to be like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. She wanted to be a star and wanted everyone to talk about her.
Now everyone is talking about her because she got injured in a war she had nothing to do with. They have shattered their dreams.’
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Warriors in the field
Haider was a key player for her club Beirut Football Academy (BFA), which won the Lebanese Women’s Football League last season without dropping a single point, and is set to take over as captain this season.
The midfielder was also part of the national women’s under-18 team that won the 2022 West Asian Football Federation Championship.
Team manager Ziyad Saadi said that he is now in a medically induced coma.
“Doctors are monitoring him closely,” his father told AFP from Beirut’s St. Georges Hospital.
‘But her injuries are serious, we hope she will recover slowly,’ said her father with teary eyes. We are paying for something that is not our fault.’
Lebanese authorities say that more than 3,544 people have been killed since the exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel began in October last year.
“On the field, she is a warrior, playing in the middle position to get the ball to the strikers,” coach Sameer Barbari said during her visit to the hospital. She is a phenomenal girl and a great player.’
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What were Celine Haider’s aspirations in football before her tragic injury?
### Interview with Abbas Haider: A Father’s Perspective on Celine Haider’s Tragic Injury
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Haider. We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your family. Can you tell us about Celine and her passion for football?
**Abbas Haider:** Thank you for having me. Celine has always had a deep love for football. At only 19, she was on the verge of achieving her dream of playing for the Lebanese women’s national team. She worked incredibly hard, balancing her education and training, despite the challenges of living in a conflict zone.
**Interviewer:** As tensions escalated in Lebanon, your family had to make some tough decisions. Can you describe what happened leading up to Celine’s injury?
**Abbas Haider:** Like many others, we were forced to flee our home in southern Beirut due to the bombardments. However, Celine felt she needed to return for her education and training. It was hard to watch her go back every night, especially after evacuation orders were announced. I had warned her about the increased bombings just before her injury occurred. She had just left home to avoid danger when the unthinkable happened.
**Interviewer:** That must have been terrifying for you and your family. What was your reaction when you found out that Celine was injured?
**Abbas Haider:** I was devastated. I received a call from my wife, telling me that Celine was in the hospital. My heart sank. Seeing the video of her lying there, covered in blood, broke me. No parent should have to endure seeing their child in such a state.
**Interviewer:** Celine suffered severe injuries, including a fractured skull and a brain hemorrhage. What can you tell us about her condition now?
**Abbas Haider:** She is currently in a medically induced coma. The doctors are doing everything they can, but the situation is dire. I just pray for her recovery. She always told me she wanted to be like great players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Now, it pains me that she is in this position due to circumstances beyond her control.
**Interviewer:** How has this incident affected the wider football community in Lebanon?
**Abbas Haider:** The attacks have forced the Lebanese Football Association to suspend all competitions indefinitely. Celine is not just a talented player; she symbolizes hope for many young athletes in Lebanon. This tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting not only the dangers of war but also the fragility of dreams.
**Interviewer:** What message would you like to convey regarding Celine’s story?
**Abbas Haider:** I want the world to know that Celine is a heroine in my eyes, and I believe she will rise again. She dreams of competing on the international stage, and this setback should not define her spirit. I wish for peace so that all children, including my daughter, can pursue their dreams without fear.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your story with us, Mr. Haider. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
**Abbas Haider:** Thank you for your support. It means a lot.
