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 Celine Haider’s story influenced perceptions of safety for young athletes in conflict zones?
**Interview with Abbas Haider, Father of Celine Haider**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Haider. We’re deeply sorry to hear about Celine’s injury. Can you share some insights into what happened that day?
**Abbas Haider:** Thank you for having me. Celine had been in south Beirut for her education and training, despite the dangerous circumstances. On the day of the airstrike, I had just warned her about new evacuation orders. She had left home, thinking she was safe, but then we received the tragic news of her injury.
**Interviewer:** That must have been devastating for you and your family. Can you tell us about Celine’s aspirations and what this incident means for her future?
**Abbas Haider:** Celine is a passionate footballer. She always dreamed of playing for Lebanon’s national team and wanted to follow in the footsteps of great players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Now, instead of pursuing her dreams, she’s fighting for her life. It’s heartbreaking that her talent is overshadowed by the violence of war.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that she was already a rising star in Lebanese football. How has her injury impacted the football community and the ongoing competitions?
**Abbas Haider:** The Lebanese Football Association has suspended competitions indefinitely due to the ongoing conflict. Celine’s injury has shocked everyone, highlighting the harsh realities athletes face in our region. It has drawn attention to the consequences of violence on young athletes who have dreams just like any others around the world.
**Interviewer:** There have been videos circulating on social media showing the moment she was injured. How do you feel about the way her story is being shared publicly?
**Abbas Haider:** It’s a complex feeling. On one hand, I appreciate that her story is raising awareness about the impact of war on young lives. On the other hand, it’s painful to see her in such a vulnerable state. Celine is a heroine to us, and we believe she will rise again.
**Interviewer:** As a father, what message do you want to share with those who are following her story, and with the community that supports her?
**Abbas Haider:** I want everyone to know that Celine is a fighter. This incident doesn’t define her; she has a bright future ahead if she can recover. I urge people to remember that behind every athlete, there are dreams and aspirations, and we must hope for peace, so young talents like her can thrive without fear.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Haider. We wish Celine a swift recovery and hope she can continue to inspire others in the future.
**Abbas Haider:** Thank you for your kind words and support. It means a lot to our family.
