Menashe Zalka is a guest on "Outside the Lines"/photo: Walla system Video editing: Ziv Steiner
Menashe Zalka, captain of Hapoel Hadera, has become one of the most beloved athletes in Israel. As we know, it is not his skills on the field that have made him such a revered figure in recent months, but the fact that he enlisted in combat reserve service in the Crow Company of the Parachute Patrol and put football aside for a long time. Also at the beginning of next month, he is supposed to return to reserve service while Hapoel Hadera tries to stay in the league.
In an interview today (Friday) with Radio Jerusalem ahead of the meeting with Beitar tomorrow, he was first asked about the warm welcome that the Beitar fans are preparing for him in Teddy to thank him for his contribution and sacrifice: "Beitar's audience strengthens me and supports me throughout the war, sending me Countless messages. It's a hug that is not taken for granted and I thank them and want to tell them that I love them."
During the interview, Zalka was asked if he was thinking about a professional role the day after retirement and admitted: "I really hope I won't be in football. Politics? I don't know how to say, there are other things I can do to influence Israeli society besides football. I'm not fooling or confirming politics, I've received offers , but that's not the direction right now and I'm a football player who wants to continue as long as possible, as long as I can contribute - I don't play to say I'm a player in the Premier League."
In addition, he also lightly commented on the team's professional situation, which currently stands 4 points away from the red line: "In January, 5-6 players came to the team. Everyone in the club understood the situation, and I also told Kikir Schwartz from the reserves that we have nothing to sell without new players. I am very happy that he listened to me And tie-breaking players arrived. We play different football, beautiful to the eye."