Eran Zahavi before Maccabi Tel Aviv - Maccabi Haifa (Ariel Shalom)
Eran Zahavi gave up a huge contract and excellent terms at Botafogo in order to sign for Maccabi Tel Aviv, but judging by the developments in recent weeks, he may regret it. While the Yellows finished a disappointing season in Israel in only third place and were very far from Maccabi Haifa in the championship fight, the Brazilian luxury club is becoming a hit for Brazil.
Tonight (Sunday to Monday) Botafogo beat America 0-2 to improve to 7 wins in 8 matches in the Brazilian league. After 8 rounds, it is ranked at the top of the league with a 5-point advantage over Palmeiras, and Brazil is already convinced that it is running for the championship.
Symbolically, Botafogo's key player in the impressive start to the season is Tiquinho, the striker who joined the team by default after Zahavi turned down the offer. Ticinho, who arrived from Olympiacos, leads the league's top scorers list so far with 6 goals and the good ability he displays in Botafogo could be a springboard for him to big teams in Europe.
It remains only to imagine what would have happened if he had said yes. Zahavi alongside Tiquinio (Photo: image processing, illustration)
Just last week, Catalan media reported that Barcelona are considering acquiring Tiquinho, and may make an offer to Botafogo soon.
Zahavi finished the season in Israel with 20 league goals, one less than top scorer Omer Atzili. According to reports in Brazil, Botafogo even looked again during the season into the possibility of signing Zahavi, but he wanted to finish the season with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
- sport
- Israeli football
- League
Tags
- Eran Zahavi
- Botafogo