Maccabi Haifa today (Sunday) officially said goodbye to the team captain, Netta Lavie, at a press conference at the end of which he officially became a player for the Japanese Gamba Osaka.
Lavi, who grew up in Maccabi Haifa and played his career exclusively in its ranks, won two championships with the club, a cup, the champion of champions, the Toto Cup, the home stage of the Champions League and the home stage of the Conference League.
All the members of the professional staff, the players and the actor's family came to the press conference he organized.
First, the coach Barak Becher gave moving words and said: "Neta Lavi symbolizes the word leadership. He is a true leader, it is not a title but a job. He did it because it was right for the team, he did not seek to be famous or stand out, he did it mainly behind the scenes. Leaders Real people do the little things. A short story from the summer. The background for the meeting was a season ago, Neta was seriously injured and had trouble coming back to himself.
"There were many criticisms of him and me, they said that I was giving him power and he didn't feel 100 percent. He came to me and said, 'I want to go, I'm done.' In front of everyone and that he is the leader of this group. He took the keys."
About what has been going on behind the scenes in recent weeks, Bacher said: "In recent weeks, Neta has been playing with a nagging injury. Each time he told me that he would do whatever was necessary. Neta risked his health and the copy contract he had on the table. Against Maccabi Tel Aviv He came up sick to the point of exhaustion. On a personal level, it's very difficult. At first, when Yankel told me about the offer, I said there was no way he would go. I wish success, also for the family. On a personal level, as a coach, I'm thankful for lovely moments."
Lavi himself said: "Thank you to Barak for the kind words. It's hard for me to talk about such a significant period in my life. 7 years old, there isn't a day when I don't think about Maccabi. Maccabi Haifa was always in my mind. It started unexpectedly, an unimportant game in the Toto Cup. No one He thought that from this game I would become the team player and the team captain. Roni Levy gave me the confidence. Those who were with me in the dressing room then would describe me as a quiet child. I learned to examine what Maccabi Haifa is. It took 3 years, a long injury, many failures and Gal Alberman one.
"From the first moment we talked that year. He took my place in the lineup, I want to thank Marco Belbul for the peace he gave to the club. I was given responsibility. We worked very hard. Players arrived who became family for me. After two and a half years, the championship returned after a decade. It was and will be the great moment in my career
"Throughout all the injuries, they said I wasn't fit, I didn't care, Barak gave me his back and believed in me. Even when we disagreed, we always supported each other. You proved to me that dreams do come true. The Champions League is the seal that Maccabi Haifa is the biggest club in Israel. The crowd, the organization. Never I didn't take credit for the upheaval and change from the bad years. Even now I think I did nothing.
"I mediated between the management and the players, I gave advice. The credit is all to Yankela Shahar. They treated me like a son, thank you for everything you gave me, you prepared me for real life. The most important thing I took from you, you told me not to give up. You knew that in the end you would succeed. I promise to continue To be an ambassador of the club and to represent the values I received. Green fans, our relationship was complex, we went through everything together.
"Sometimes I felt that I deserved more. Later I realized that you wanted my good and the good of the team. That's who I am. I never spoke to the media. I can guarantee that I always gave my all physically and mentally. My greatest victory was that you were happy. The song you wrote became an anthem at home and every time you sang That one, I cried with happiness. Maccabi Haifa is first of all the fans. I'm sure I'll hear this song later in my career."
On the decision to leave even though he received an offer from Maccabi Haifa to stay: "I think the decision I made is due to several reasons from the past. The club worked out, if I didn't think that way I wouldn't have left. Since CSKA I realized that the team managed without me.
Whoever plays in my place will do the best job.
There are good players here and they will help the team to continue its goals."
He also added: "The great moment was winning the championship. There were difficult moments. We changed coaches and rightly they didn't like to see what was happening here. This club is stable. The dream stayed with me, the summer was a less good time to leave, I agreed with Barak. Today the club is in a good place, so in my opinion it is the time".
"I had several offers. Financially, higher. Japan interests me and the coach showed me a willingness to be a top player. It is true that they finished above the red line, but this is a club that wants to be at the top. Japan did amazing things in the World Cup, there is good football there and I am embarking on this adventure. Maccabi Haifa is my home and it's sad to leave home. I owe this move for me and my family."
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