Mahmoud Jaber

Mahmoud Jaber (Arabic: محمود جابر; born 5 October 1999) is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Haifa and the Israel national team.

Early life

Jaber was born in Tayibe, Israel, to an Arab-Muslim family of Palestinian descent. His grandfather Abdullah Jaber and his father Nabil Jaber were renowned local footballers in his hometown. His older brother Abdallah Jaber is also a professional footballer who played for as well as captained the Palestine national team.

Career

Jaber is a youth product of the academy of Hapoel Kfar Saba, before moving to Maccabi Haifa's youth academy at the age of 12.

He made his senior career on loan with Hapoel Nof HaGalil with a debut on 5 August 2019 in a game against Maccabi Ahi Nazareth in a Toto cup match of the 2019–20 season. In his second year on loan, he helped Hapoel Nof HaGalil win the 2020–21 Toto Cup Leumit and the 2021–22 Liga Leumit earning promotion into the Israel Premier League. He returned to Maccabi Haifa on 15 August 2021, signing an extension keeping him at the club until 2024. There, he helped them win the 2021–22 Israeli Premier League, 2021–22 Toto Cup Al and 2021 Israel Super Cup in his debut season.

On 16 May 2023, he won his first senior title, as winning the Israeli Premier League championship.

Jaber has played in the UEFA Champions League, scoring a goal after coming on at halftime to equalize against Sheriff Tiraspol in the 85th minute of Maccabi Haifa's 4-2 victory in the 2nd round.

International career

Jaber was first called up to the senior Israel national team ahead of the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League matches in June 2022. He debuted with Israel in a 2–2 UEFA Nations League home draw against Iceland on 2 June 2022.