Liel Abada is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a winger and forward for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer and the Israel national team. He is one of the most talented Israeli attacking players of his generation. Abada is known for his speed, sharp movement, quick finishing, and ability to score from wide attacking positions.
Born in Petah Tikva, Israel, Liel Abada developed through Hapoel Petah Tikva and Maccabi Petah Tikva before becoming a senior professional. His performances in Israel earned him a move to Scottish giants Celtic in 2021. At Celtic, he became a popular attacking player, won domestic trophies, scored important goals, and was named PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year for the 2021–22 season. He later moved to Charlotte FC in March 2024 as a Young Designated Player. Charlotte FC confirmed that he signed through 2026 with an option for 2027.
Abada’s current club is Charlotte FC, where he wears number 11. In his first MLS season, he scored seven goals and added two assists in 24 regular-season appearances. Charlotte FC’s official stats page lists him with 65 regular-season MLS appearances, 12 goals, and 6 assists through the 2026 data available.
For Israel, Liel Abada has represented several youth teams and later became a senior international. Transfermarkt lists him with 18 senior caps and 1 goal for Israel. His FIFA World Cup 2026 relevance comes from Israel’s UEFA qualifying campaign. Israel played in Group I with Norway, Italy, Estonia, and Moldova. Israel finished third and did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals, so Abada is not expected to play in the final tournament.
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Liel Abada |
| Popular Name | Liel Abada |
| Date of Birth | 3 October 2001 |
| Age | 24 years old |
| Birthplace | Petah Tikva, Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Position | Right winger, forward |
| Current Club | Charlotte FC |
| National Team | Israel |
| Jersey Number | 11 |
| Height | 1.72 m / 5 ft 6 in |
| Weight | Around 150 lbs / 68 kg |
| Strong Foot | Right foot |
Transfermarkt lists Liel Abada as a 1.72 m right winger for Charlotte FC, born on 3 October 2001 in Petah Tikva, Israel. Charlotte FC’s official signing announcement listed his height as 5 ft 6 in and weight as 150 lbs.
Early Life and Family Background
Liel Abada was born on 3 October 2001 in Petah Tikva, Israel. He grew up in an Israeli family of Mizrahi Jewish descent. Petah Tikva is a strong football city in Israel, and Abada’s early life was connected closely to local football.
He started playing football at Hapoel Petah Tikva when he was a child. This was the first stage of his football journey. He later moved to Maccabi Petah Tikva, a club known for developing young Israeli footballers. That move became very important because Maccabi Petah Tikva gave him the platform to develop as an attacking player and later become a senior professional.
Abada’s football talent was visible at a young age. He had speed, good movement, and natural attacking instincts. As a young winger, he learned how to run behind defenders, attack the penalty area, and finish chances quickly. These skills later became major parts of his professional game.
His early development was not only about talent. Moving through youth football requires discipline, support, travel, training, and patience. Abada’s rise from Petah Tikva to Celtic and then MLS shows that he had strong football education and family support behind him.
Public information also says Abada is observant and does not play football on Yom Kippur, the Jewish high holiday. This detail shows that religion and identity are important parts of his personal life.
Parents Details
Father Name
Liel Abada’s father is Ronen Abada. Public profile records mention Ronen in connection with Liel’s early life and football journey.
Mother Name
Liel Abada’s mother’s name has not been clearly confirmed in reliable public football sources.
Liel Abada’s family influence has been important in his career. Public information says that when Abada was 13, his first manager at Maccabi Petah Tikva took Abada and his father Ronen to Barcelona to celebrate Liel’s Bar Mitzvah. This shows how closely his family and football life were connected during his teenage years.
A young footballer needs support at every stage, especially when moving from local youth football to a bigger academy and then into senior football. Abada’s rise from Israel to Scotland and the United States suggests strong support from home.
Siblings
Liel Abada has a younger brother named Orel Abada. Public profile information says Orel Abada is also a footballer and has played for Hapoel Ra’anana.
This makes football part of the Abada family story. Liel became the more famous player internationally, but having a younger brother also connected to football shows that the sport has strong importance in the family.
Wife / Spouse Details
Wife Name
There is no publicly confirmed information that Liel Abada is married.
Marriage Date
No marriage date is publicly available.
Relationship Story
Liel Abada has not publicly confirmed a wife or marriage in reliable football sources. Because of that, it would be inaccurate to list a wife’s name.
His private life has been discussed in Israeli and UK media mainly because of his relationship with Bar Rashti. However, available public information points to a girlfriend relationship, not a confirmed marriage.
Girlfriend / Relationship Status
Girlfriend Name
Liel Abada has been publicly linked with Israeli social media personality Bar Rashti. Public profile records say he has been in a relationship with Bar Rashti since 2020, except for a short break in 2022. (Wikipedia)
Dating History
There is no detailed verified dating history for Liel Abada before Bar Rashti. Most public reports about his relationship life focus on Bar Rashti.
Current Relationship Status
Liel Abada’s current relationship status is best described as private, but he has been publicly linked with Bar Rashti. Since relationship details can change and players often keep private matters away from public attention, only confirmed public information should be used.
Children
Son
There is no publicly confirmed information that Liel Abada has a son.
Daughter
There is no publicly confirmed information that Liel Abada has a daughter.
Family Life
Liel Abada has not publicly confirmed having children. His public family details are mainly connected to his father Ronen, his younger brother Orel, and his relationship with Bar Rashti.
Personal Life
Liel Abada is known as a private and focused footballer. He does not build his public image around celebrity lifestyle. Most of the attention around him comes from football performances, transfers, Israel national team matches, and his time at Celtic and Charlotte FC.
Religion and identity are part of his personal story. Public records say he is observant and does not play football on Yom Kippur. That is an important detail for fans who want to understand him beyond the pitch.
His move from Celtic to Charlotte FC also brought personal attention because his final months in Glasgow were affected by the Israel-Gaza war and political tensions around Celtic supporters’ displays. Reports noted that the situation created pressure and discomfort for Abada, and his move to MLS gave him a fresh start.
There is no major confirmed public information about Abada’s hobbies or charity work. His lifestyle appears professional and football-focused. He has already lived in Israel, Scotland, and the United States, which shows his ability to adapt to different cultures and football environments.
On the pitch, Abada looks confident, direct, and hungry to score. He is not the tallest winger, but he uses smart movement and timing to get into dangerous areas. His ability to attack the far post and finish quickly has made him dangerous in different leagues.
Youth Career
Hapoel Petah Tikva
Liel Abada started his youth career with Hapoel Petah Tikva. Public records list him in the club’s youth system from 2006 to 2014.
This was his first football foundation. At Hapoel Petah Tikva, he learned basic technique, movement, ball control, and attacking habits. These early years helped him develop love and discipline for the game.
Maccabi Petah Tikva
In 2014, Abada joined Maccabi Petah Tikva’s youth system. He stayed there until 2019 before moving into senior football.
This was the most important youth stage of his career. Maccabi Petah Tikva is known for producing Israeli talent, and Abada used the club’s academy to develop into a professional winger. He became stronger, faster, sharper in front of goal, and ready for senior football.
Professional Club Career
Maccabi Petah Tikva
Years
2019–2021
Appearances
Liel Abada made 67 league appearances for Maccabi Petah Tikva.
Goals
He scored 20 league goals for Maccabi Petah Tikva.
Major Achievements
Maccabi Petah Tikva gave Abada his first senior professional platform. His performances there made him one of the most exciting young attacking players in Israel.
Key Milestones
Abada broke into senior football as a teenager. He showed that he could score and create danger even at a young age. His performances attracted attention from European clubs, and Celtic signed him in the summer of 2021.
This move was a huge step because it took Abada from Israeli football to one of the biggest clubs in Scotland.
Celtic
Years
2021–2024
Appearances
Liel Abada made 79 Scottish Premiership appearances for Celtic, according to public league records.
Goals
He scored 21 league goals for Celtic. Across all competitions, reports around his Celtic exit credited him with 29 goals and 22 assists in 112 appearances.
Major Achievements
Abada won major trophies with Celtic. Celtic’s official player profile says he played a key role in five domestic trophy wins: the Scottish Premiership twice, the Scottish League Cup twice, and the Scottish Cup in 2022–23.
He was also named PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year for the 2021–22 season.
Key Milestones
Abada joined Celtic in July 2021 on a five-year contract. He made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut against Midtjylland in UEFA Champions League qualifying. He also scored important domestic goals, including goals in Old Firm matches against Rangers.
One of his most memorable Celtic performances came in August 2022, when he scored a hat-trick and assisted in a 9-0 win over Dundee United. He also scored twice against Rangers in a 4-0 Old Firm win in September 2022.
His time at Celtic ended in March 2024 when Charlotte FC signed him from the Scottish club. The move gave him a fresh start in Major League Soccer.
Charlotte FC
Years
2024–Present
Appearances
Charlotte FC signed Liel Abada from Celtic on 7 March 2024 as a Young Designated Player. He signed a contract through 2026 with an option for 2027.
Charlotte FC’s official stats page lists him with 65 regular-season MLS appearances through the available 2026 data.
Goals
Charlotte FC’s official stats list Abada with 12 regular-season MLS goals through the available 2026 data. He scored seven in 2024, five in 2025, and had not scored in the early 2026 data shown on the club stats page.
Major Achievements
His biggest Charlotte achievement so far is becoming one of the club’s main attacking names after arriving from Celtic. In his debut season, he finished second in goals for Charlotte FC with seven goals and two assists in 24 regular-season matches.
Key Milestones
The move to Charlotte was important because Abada became a Young Designated Player in MLS. This showed that Charlotte viewed him as a major long-term attacking signing.
He adapted quickly to MLS and became a useful winger for the club. His official MLS regular-season record shows that he has been used both as a starter and substitute, giving Charlotte pace and direct attacking energy on the right side.
International Career
Youth National Teams
Liel Abada represented Israel at several youth levels. Public records list him with Israel U16, U17, U18, U19, and U21 teams. He scored at U16, U17, U19, and U21 levels.
His youth international record helped him become one of Israel’s most promising attacking players. Playing for national youth teams gave him experience against different football styles and helped him prepare for senior international football.
Senior National Team Debut
Liel Abada made his senior Israel debut on 5 June 2021 in a friendly match against Montenegro. Israel won the match 3-1, and Abada came on as a substitute.
Major Tournaments
Abada has played for Israel in international friendlies, UEFA Nations League matches, European qualification, and FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns. He has not played at a FIFA World Cup final tournament.
Important Goals
Transfermarkt lists Liel Abada with 18 senior caps and 1 goal for Israel.
His role for Israel is mainly as a wide attacking option. He can create chances, stretch the defence, and attack the penalty area from the right wing.
Leadership Role
Liel Abada is not publicly listed as Israel’s senior national team captain. His role is more about attacking quality, speed, movement, and goal threat.
Because he is still 24 years old, he can become more important for Israel in future international campaigns.
FIFA World Cup 2026
Current World Cup Status
Liel Abada is not playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals because Israel did not qualify.
Israel finished third in UEFA Group I with 12 points from eight matches. The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel had four wins and four losses, but those results were not enough to avoid elimination. Norway finished first and qualified directly, while Italy finished second and moved into the play-off round.
Group Details
Israel’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying group was UEFA Group I. The group included Norway, Italy, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova. Norway qualified directly for the World Cup finals, while Italy advanced to the second round play-offs.
Role In Squad
Abada’s role in the Israel squad is as a winger or forward. He gives the team pace, direct attacking runs, and finishing from wide positions. He is especially useful when Israel want to counterattack quickly or stretch a compact defence.
Expected Impact
Because Israel did not qualify, Abada will not have an impact at the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals.
However, the qualification cycle still matters for his international career. He remains part of Israel’s attacking group and can be important in future UEFA Nations League, European Championship, and World Cup qualification campaigns.
Performance Updates
Abada was part of Israel’s national team picture during the 2026 qualifying period. UEFA lists him in European Qualifiers statistics for Israel as a Charlotte FC player.
The main update is that Israel did not reach the final tournament. For Abada personally, the focus now is on Charlotte FC, club form, and staying in contention for future Israel call-ups.
Playing Style
Liel Abada is a quick, direct winger who can also play as a forward. His best role is usually on the right wing, where he can make runs behind defenders and attack the box.
Strengths
Abada’s biggest strength is movement. He does not always need many touches to affect a match. He reads space well and often arrives in dangerous areas at the right time.
Another major strength is finishing. He scored regularly for Maccabi Petah Tikva and Celtic, and he also scored in MLS with Charlotte FC. His career shows that he can score in different leagues and systems.
He is also strong in transition. When his team wins the ball, Abada can sprint into space quickly and punish defenders who are out of position.
Weaknesses
Abada is not the tallest or most physical winger. At 1.72 m, he can be challenged by stronger defenders in shoulder-to-shoulder battles.
He can also become quiet in matches if his team does not move the ball quickly to the wide areas. Like many wingers, he needs service and space to show his best qualities.
Positioning
Abada usually positions himself wide on the right side but often moves inside toward the penalty area. He is dangerous at the far post and can finish chances from close range.
Technical Ability
Abada is a right-footed attacker with quick control and sharp finishing. He is comfortable playing one-touch finishes and fast combinations around the box.
Tactical Role
His tactical role is to provide width, speed, pressing, and goals from wide areas. At Charlotte FC, he can play as a right winger or forward. For Israel, he gives the national team an attacking player who can play in wide or advanced positions.
Career Statistics
Club Career Stats
Liel Abada’s senior club career includes Maccabi Petah Tikva, Celtic, and Charlotte FC.
Public league records list him with 67 league appearances and 20 goals for Maccabi Petah Tikva, 79 league appearances and 21 goals for Celtic, and 65 regular-season MLS appearances with 12 goals and 6 assists for Charlotte FC in the club’s official MLS regular-season stats.
International Career Stats
Transfermarkt lists Liel Abada with 18 senior caps and 1 goal for Israel.
Goals
Abada has scored at club level in Israel, Scotland, and the United States. His best scoring spells came at Maccabi Petah Tikva and Celtic, where he regularly contributed goals from wide attacking positions.
Assists
Charlotte FC’s official stats list Abada with 6 MLS regular-season assists through the available 2026 data. Reports around his Celtic exit also credited him with 22 assists in 112 Celtic appearances across all competitions.
Appearances
Abada has already made more than 200 senior club appearances across all competitions when combining his time in Israel, Scotland, and MLS. This is a strong record for a player still in his mid-twenties.
Major Achievements and Honors
Club Titles
Liel Abada won several major trophies with Celtic. Celtic’s official profile says he played a role in five domestic trophy wins: two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish League Cups, and one Scottish Cup in 2022–23.
International Titles
Liel Abada has not won a major senior international title with Israel.
Individual Awards
Liel Abada won the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award for the 2021–22 season.
This award was important because it showed how quickly he adapted to Scottish football after arriving from Israel.
Salary
Liel Abada’s official salary at Charlotte FC has not been fully detailed by the club in its signing announcement. However, public MLS salary reporting has listed him among Charlotte FC’s highest-paid players.
Axios Charlotte reported that, according to MLS Players Association salary guide information, Abada’s guaranteed compensation was around $2.5 million, making him Charlotte FC’s highest-paid player at the time of that report.
His income sources likely include club salary, bonuses, sponsorship income, and national team match payments. Since he joined Charlotte as a Young Designated Player, he is one of the club’s major investments.
Net Worth
Liel Abada’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed.
A careful estimated net worth range would be around $3 million to $8 million. This estimate is based on his contracts with Celtic and Charlotte FC, transfer fees, salary reports, market value, sponsorship potential, and international football career. It is not an official financial figure.
Transfermarkt listed his market value at around €5 million to €6 million in 2026 profile data. Market value is not the same as net worth. Market value estimates a player’s football transfer value, while net worth depends on salary, bonuses, taxes, savings, property, sponsorships, and investments.
Current Affairs and Latest Updates
Liel Abada currently plays for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer. He joined the club from Celtic on 7 March 2024 as a Young Designated Player and signed through 2026 with an option for 2027.
His Charlotte FC regular-season record through the available 2026 data is 65 appearances, 12 goals, and 6 assists.
There has been transfer speculation around Abada. In 2026, UK reports linked him with interest from English clubs, including Championship sides. These reports should be treated as transfer rumors unless a club confirms an official move.
There are no major confirmed current injury reports for Abada in the reliable sources checked for this profile.
For FIFA World Cup 2026, the latest update is clear: Israel did not qualify. Abada’s focus is now on Charlotte FC performances and future opportunities with Israel.
Instagram Profile
Official Instagram Handle
Liel Abada’s commonly linked Instagram handle is @lielabada.
Official Instagram URL
https://www.instagram.com/lielabada
Social Media Presence
Liel Abada uses social media mainly for football and personal updates. His following grew during his time at Celtic, where he became known to fans in Scotland and across Europe. His move to Charlotte FC also introduced him to a wider MLS audience.
Fans follow him for match photos, training updates, Israel national team moments, and personal posts.
Why This Player Is Special
Liel Abada is special because he scores goals from positions where many wingers only create chances. He has natural timing inside the box, which makes him dangerous even when he starts wide.
His Celtic career showed his ability to handle pressure. Playing for Celtic means dealing with big crowds, intense rivalries, and expectations to win every week. Abada did not only survive that pressure; he won trophies and individual recognition.
He is also special because he adapted to different football cultures. He started in Israel, moved to Scotland, and then joined MLS in the United States. Every move brought different demands, but he continued to show attacking quality.
Fans admire Abada because he plays with energy. He attacks space, presses defenders, and looks for goals. At his best, he can change a game quickly with one run or one finish.
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Interesting Facts
- Liel Abada was born in Petah Tikva, Israel.
- He started youth football at Hapoel Petah Tikva.
- He later developed at Maccabi Petah Tikva.
- He scored 20 league goals for Maccabi Petah Tikva before moving abroad
- He joined Celtic in 2021 on a five-year contract.
- He scored on his Celtic debut against Midtjylland in Champions League qualifying.
- He won PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year in 2021–22.
- He won five domestic trophies with Celtic.
- He joined Charlotte FC in March 2024 as a Young Designated Player.
- His younger brother Orel Abada is also a footballer.
FAQs
How old is Liel Abada?
Liel Abada is 24 years old. He was born on 3 October 2001 in Petah Tikva, Israel.
What is Liel Abada’s height?
Liel Abada is 1.72 m tall, which is around 5 ft 6 in.
Who is Liel Abada’s wife?
There is no publicly confirmed information that Liel Abada is married. His wife’s name is not available in reliable public sources.
Does Liel Abada have a girlfriend?
Liel Abada has been publicly linked with Bar Rashti. Public profile records say they have been in a relationship since 2020, except for a short break in 2022.
Which club does Liel Abada play for?
Liel Abada plays for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer. He joined the club from Celtic in March 2024.
What position does Liel Abada play?
Liel Abada plays mainly as a right winger. He can also play as a forward.
What is Liel Abada’s net worth?
Liel Abada’s exact net worth is not officially confirmed. A careful estimate is around $3 million to $8 million, based on his Celtic career, Charlotte FC contract, salary reports, transfer value, and sponsorship potential.
Is Liel Abada playing in FIFA World Cup 2026?
No. Liel Abada is not playing at FIFA World Cup 2026 because Israel did not qualify. Israel finished third in UEFA Group I behind Norway and Italy.
What is Liel Abada’s jersey number?
Liel Abada wears number 11 for Charlotte FC.
What is Liel Abada’s strong foot?
Liel Abada’s strong foot is his right foot. He mainly plays as a right winger and forward.
Conclusion
Liel Abada is one of Israel’s most successful modern attacking exports. His journey from Petah Tikva to Maccabi Petah Tikva, Celtic, Charlotte FC, and the Israel national team shows talent, ambition, and resilience.
He made his name in Israel as a young winger with strong goal numbers. His move to Celtic took him to a much bigger stage, where he won trophies, scored in important matches, and earned the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award. His time in Glasgow also showed that he could handle pressure at a major European club.
His move to Charlotte FC gave him a new chapter in MLS. He arrived as a Young Designated Player and quickly became one of the club’s important attacking players. His regular-season numbers show that he has contributed goals and assists in the United States.
For Israel, Abada remains an important attacking option. Israel did not qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026, but Abada is still young enough to play a major role in future campaigns. His speed, movement, and finishing can help Israel in UEFA Nations League, European Championship qualification, and future World Cup qualification matches.
At 24 years old, Liel Abada still has many important years ahead. If he stays fit, plays regularly, and continues improving his consistency, he can remain a key player for Charlotte FC and one of Israel’s most exciting footballers.