Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has publicly questioned UEFA for failing to mention how Palestinian football legend Suleiman Al-Obeid died in their tribute. The Palestine Football Association stated that Al-Obeid, 41, was killed by an Israeli strike targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip. UEFA’s tribute described Al-Obeid as “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times,” but did not reference the circumstances of his death. Salah responded on social media with a pointed question: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”
The tribute from UEFA sparked widespread attention and debate, with Salah’s question gaining over 61 million views and praise for raising awareness about the situation in Gaza. Al-Obeid, often called the “Palestinian Pele,” was a former national team player and a celebrated figure in Palestinian football. He was reportedly killed while waiting for aid during ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza, a situation underscored by the Palestine Football Association’s statement that civilians near aid distribution points continue to face deadly violence.
The tragic context is part of a broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the United Nations reports that over 1,300 Palestinians have been killed attempting to access food and aid since May 2025, mostly near sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and convoys. UN and human rights experts have condemned the lethal attacks as grave violations of international law and war crimes, highlighting the dire conditions faced by civilians, including widespread starvation and displacement.
Salah, known not only for his football achievements but also his advocacy for humanitarian causes, has previously called for unrestricted aid access to Gaza and urged world leaders to act to prevent further loss of innocent lives. His public stance on Al-Obeid’s death and the ongoing Gaza crisis continues to draw significant global attention to the intersection of sports, politics, and human rights.