Liel Abada Bio
Liel Abada is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC and the Israel national team. Born on October 3, 2001, in Petah Tikva, Israel, he began his senior career with hometown club Maccabi Petah Tikva in 2019 before moving to Scottish giants Celtic in 2021. During his time in Scotland, he earned the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award for the 2021–22 season. In March 2024, he completed a transfer to Charlotte FC, where he continues to feature as an attacking option.
Early Life and Background
Liel Abada was born on October 3, 2001, in Petah Tikva, a city in central Israel. He comes from a family of Mizrahi Jewish descent and grew up in the city where he would later launch his professional football career. Standing 1.72 meters tall, he developed an early passion for the game and joined structured youth setups before reaching his teenage years.
Abada’s formative years in football began at Hapoel Petah Tikva between 2006 and 2014, where he built his technical foundation. At age 13, his first manager at Maccabi Petah Tikva took him and his father Ronen to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah in Barcelona, an experience that helped broaden his horizons and reinforce his commitment to the sport. His younger brother, Orel Abada, is also a footballer who plays for Hapoel Ra’anana, indicating a clear family connection to the game.
Path to Professional Soccer
In 2014, Abada moved from Hapoel Petah Tikva to the youth academy of Maccabi Petah Tikva, where he continued his development over the next five years. He represented Israel at multiple youth levels, including the U16, U17, U18, and U19 teams between 2017 and 2019, gaining valuable international experience. In 2020, he was promoted to the Israel U21 side, signaling his rising status within the country’s football system.
Abada made his professional debut for Maccabi Petah Tikva in the Israel State Cup on August 22, 2019, entering as a substitute against Hakoah Amidar Ramat Gan. He scored his first senior Israeli Liga Leumit goal on September 9, 2019, and netted his first Israeli Premier League goal on August 30, 2020, against Maccabi Tel Aviv. These performances drew attention from clubs across Europe, setting the stage for a major transfer.
Liel Abada Career
Celtic Era (2021–2024)
On July 14, 2021, Scottish Premiership club Celtic announced the signing of Liel Abada on a five-year contract for a reported fee of £3.6 million. Just six days later, he scored on his debut in a Champions League qualifying match against Danish side Midtjylland. On August 21, 2021, in his third Scottish Premiership appearance, he netted both his and Celtic’s first two league goals of the season in a 6–0 home victory over St. Mirren, marking an explosive start to his time in Scotland.
During the 2021–22 season, Abada continued to deliver key contributions, including the winning goal against Ferencváros in the UEFA Europa League group stage and a brace against St. Johnstone on December 26, 2021. His performances that season earned him the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award. In the following 2022–23 campaign, he scored a hat-trick in a 9–0 away win over Dundee United and netted twice in a 4–0 Old Firm victory over Rangers, before making his UEFA Champions League group stage debut against Real Madrid on September 6, 2022.
On September 1, 2023, Abada signed a new four-year contract with Celtic, reaffirming his commitment to the club. However, his time at Celtic became complicated by the Gaza war, which affected his personal well-being and led to criticism from some quarters in Israel. After returning from injury in December 2023, manager Brendan Rodgers later confirmed that Abada could leave the club, and on March 8, 2024, he departed Celtic for a reported fee of £10 million.
Charlotte FC Era (2024–Present)
Liel Abada moved to Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC on March 8, 2024, embarking on a new chapter in North American soccer. He joined the club wearing the number 11 shirt and slotted into the team’s attacking line as a winger or forward. His arrival added international pedigree and European title-winning experience to the Charlotte FC roster.
Adapting to the pace and style of MLS, Abada contributed to Charlotte FC’s campaigns through the 2024 season and into 2025. Operating primarily from wide positions, he offered pace, direct dribbling, and an eye for goal that had marked his earlier career in Israel and Scotland.
Driving Style and Strengths
Abada is recognized for his pace, direct running, and composure in front of goal, qualities that made him effective in Scotland and continue to serve him in MLS. His ability to operate on either flank as a winger or centrally as a forward gives coaches tactical flexibility. Defensively, he contributes with pressing and tracking back, while his movement off the ball creates space for teammates in attacking transitions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Abada’s standout moments is his hat-trick in Celtic’s 9–0 win over Dundee United on August 28, 2022, and his brace in the 4–0 Old Firm victory over Rangers later that season. His Champions League debut against Real Madrid on September 6, 2022, marked another career milestone, while his selection for Israel’s squad at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris underscored his continued importance to the national team.
Liel Abada Career Wins
Across his career with Maccabi Petah Tikva, Celtic, and Charlotte FC, Liel Abada has accumulated notable team and individual accolades. His most prominent individual recognition came in 2021–22 when he won the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award after a strong debut season with Celtic.
Celtic Highlights
During his three seasons at Celtic, Abada contributed to the club’s domestic campaigns and featured in European competitions including the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League. He scored on his debut against Midtjylland in Champions League qualifying and went on to register important league goals against St. Mirren, St. Johnstone, Dundee United, and Rangers. His Old Firm double against Rangers on September 3, 2022, stands as one of the defining performances of his Celtic career.
Other Wins and Performances
At Maccabi Petah Tikva, Abada played a role in the team’s competitive league and cup campaigns during the 2019–2021 period, helping develop his match sharpness before his move abroad. Internationally, he has been part of Israel’s squads at youth and senior level, including selection for the men’s football tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Liel Abada Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Liel Abada was raised in Petah Tikva, Israel, in a family of Mizrahi Jewish descent. His father, Ronen Abada, played an important role in his early development, accompanying him on a memorable trip to Barcelona to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah at age 13. His younger brother, Orel Abada, is also a professional footballer currently playing for Hapoel Ra’anana, continuing the family’s involvement in the sport.
Personal Life
Abada is observant and does not play football on the Jewish high holiday of Yom Kippur, reflecting his religious commitments. Since 2020, apart from a brief three-month split in 2022, he has been in a relationship with Israeli Bar Rashti. He resides primarily in Charlotte, North Carolina, following his 2024 transfer to Charlotte FC.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 MLS season, Liel Abada continues his role as an attacking option for Charlotte FC, building on his adaptation to the league during 2024. His experience in high-pressure environments at Celtic and in European competitions positions him as a key contributor to Charlotte’s ambitions. Working alongside his teammates and coaching staff, he aims to deliver consistent goal contributions and assist the club’s push toward playoff contention.
Internationally, Abada remains part of the Israel national team setup and is expected to feature in upcoming fixtures as the country continues its competitive campaign. His selection for the 2024 Summer Olympics demonstrated his standing within the national team hierarchy, and performances in 2025 will be closely watched by both club and country. With his contract running through 2028, stability and continuity provide a foundation for sustained impact.
Looking ahead, Abada’s combination of European pedigree, technical ability, and pace offers Charlotte FC a dynamic attacking outlet. Consistency in finishing and continued integration into the team’s tactical framework will be central to his 2025 outlook. Both fans and analysts will track his progress as he seeks to cement his reputation in Major League Soccer.