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 cook 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 Samir Barbari said during her visit to the hospital. She is a phenomenal girl and a great player.’
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How has the ongoing conflict impacted Celine Haider’s family and her football career?
**Interview with Abbas Haider, Father of Celine Haider**
*Interviewer (I):* Thank you for joining us, Mr. Haider. First and foremost, how is Celine doing right now?
*Abbas Haider (AH):* Thank you for having me. Celine is currently in a medically induced coma following her injuries from the airstrike. She sustained a fractured skull and is undergoing treatment. We are hoping for the best, but it’s a very tough time for our family.
*I:* I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you and your family. Celine was pursuing her dream of playing for the Lebanese women’s football team. Can you tell us more about her aspirations?
*AH:* Celine has always loved football. She dreamt of competing at high levels and wanted to be a star like Messi or Ronaldo. Just before the conflict escalated, she was in training and was so close to realizing her dreams of representing Lebanon on the national team.
*I:* It must have been heartbreaking for you when you heard about the airstrike. Can you share what happened on that day?
*AH:* It was devastating. On that day, I called her to warn her about the new evacuation orders from the Israeli army. She had left the house but soon after, I received a call from my wife saying that Celine was in the hospital. It was a shock that everything turned so tragic so quickly.
*I:* The ongoing conflict has impacted so many lives, including athletes in Lebanon. How has the situation affected football in your country?
*AH:* The Lebanese Football Association has had to suspend all competitions indefinitely due to the security situation. This is not just about Celine; many players are affected, and the hopes of many young athletes are being shattered along with their dreams of a brighter future through sport.
*I:* As a father, what message do you have for Celine as she fights for her recovery?
*AH:* I want her to know that she is a heroine in our eyes, and we believe she will rise again. This isn’t the end of her story; it’s just a challenging moment in it. Celine has the spirit of a champion, and we are all praying for her recovery.
*I:* Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mr. Haider. We hope for Celine’s swift recovery and for peace in the region.
*AH:* Thank you for your support.
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This interview reflects the emotional and challenging situation faced by Celine Haider’s family amidst the ongoing conflict, illustrating both their hopes for her recovery and the impact of violence on young athletes in Lebanon.
