Lior Refaelov

Lior Refaelov[1] (or Rafaelov, Hebrew: ליאור רפאלוב; born 26 April 1986) is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or as a winger for Israeli club Maccabi Haifa.

Lior Refaelov
Refaelov with Club Brugge in 2011
Personal information
Full name Lior Refaelov
Date of birth (1986-04-26) 26 April 1986
Place of birth Or Akiva, Israel
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, winger
Team information
Current team
 Maccabi Haifa
Number 11
Youth career
1998–2004 Maccabi Haifa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2011 Maccabi Haifa 161 (30)
2011–2018 Club Brugge 177 (40)
2018–2021 Royal Antwerp 82 (28)
2021–2023 Anderlecht 66 (16)
2023– Maccabi Haifa 4 (1)
International career‡
2002–2003 Israel U17 13 (4)
2004 Israel U18 4 (1)
2004 Israel U19 9 (2)
2006–2008 Israel U21 17 (4)
2007–2017 Israel 40 (6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 June 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 March 2017

He began his career at Maccabi Haifa, where he won the Israeli Premier League three times. In 2011, he transferred to Club Brugge for €2.5 million.[2] With the Belgian side, he won two first division titles in 2016 and 2018 and scored the winning goal in the Belgian Cup final in 2015.[3]

Refaelov made his senior international debut in 2007, and has since earned 40 caps and scored 6 goals for the Israel national team.

Early and personal life

Refaelov was born in Or Akiva, Israel, to Mountain Jewish (Kavkazim) parents who immigrated from Derbent, Dagestan to Israel prior to his birth.[4]

He married his Israeli girlfriend Gal (née Aviv) in 2012.[5][6]

Club career

In 1998, Refaelov began to play in Maccabi Haifa youth teams. In the 2002–03 season he moved up from the under-16 team to the youth team of the club, and scored in his first match against Neve Yossef.

During the 2003–04 season he scored 7 goals in the youth team, lead it to the youth championship and won the best player award.

Maccabi Haifa

Refaelov scored his first goal in the senior during the 2005–06 season on a penalty kick against Hapoel Nazareth Illit, a game which Haifa won 6–0.

In the 2008–09 season, he finished with 9 goals as Maccabi Haifa won the Israeli league championship for the 11th time.[7]

At the conclusion of the 2010–11 season, he was voted 'Player of the Year' in the Israeli football.[8]

Between 2004 and 2011, he proudly wore the Maccabi Haifa Football Club jersey, contributing significantly to the team’s triumphs in the Israeli Premier League, securing the title thrice.[9]

Club Brugge
Refaelov playing for Club Brugge in 2015

On 20 June 2011, Refaelov signed with Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge for a fee of €4 million euro and 15% from the next sale.[10]

In his first season with the Brugge he scored 7 goals and made 9 assists in all club competition as the club finished as runners-up in the Belgian league. In the next season, Refalov had a great form as he scored 12 goals and made 10 assists. In the 2013–14 season he scored 5 goals and made 14 assists and was one of the most valuable players of the club as they finished third in the league.

On 6 November 2014, he scored a hat-trick as Brugge won 4–0 away to FC Copenhagen to go top of their UEFA Europa League group.[11]

On 22 March 2015, he scored with an added-time volley the winning goal in the Belgian Cup final, as Brugge defeated Anderlecht for their first trophy in eight years.[12]

A year later he repeated the feat, scoring in the 2016 Belgian Cup Final, however this time around Club Brugge lost the final 1–2 to Standard Liège.[13] That same season, he helped Club Brugge win their first league title in 11 years, making 15 league appearances as the club edged out Gent in the final days of the campaign.[14]

Royal Antwerp

On 30 August 2018, Refaelov joined fellow Belgian First Division A side Royal Antwerp on an initial season-long loan.[15] He scored his first goal for the club in a 5–1 league victory over Zulte Waregem on 16 September.[16] On 9 December, Refaelov netted twice in a 3–0 victory over Cercle Brugge K.S.V., moving within four points of league leaders Genk through 18 matches.[17]

In May 2019, Refaelov made his move to Antwerp permanent, signing a contract with the club until 2021.[18] On 1 August 2020, Refaelov scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over his former team Club Brugge in the 2020 Belgian Cup Final.[19] On 29 October 2020, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League.[20]

In January 2021, he was awarded with the Belgian Golden Shoe for 2020.[21] He became the third Antwerp player to win the Golden Boot and the first since Wilfried Van Moer in 1966.[21] Refaelov collected 271 points from the 196 ballots, ahead of Beerschot midfielder Raphael Holzhauser (187) and the prolific Genk striker Paul Onuachu (86).[21]

Refaelov helped Antwerp qualify for the 2020-21 Belgian Pro League title play-offs, but was dropped from the squad completely after announcing he would be moving to Anderlecht in the summer.[22][23]

Anderlecht

On 26 April 2021, it was announced that Refaelov would move to Belgian First Division A side Anderlecht on 1 July, signing a two-year contract.[24] On 5 December 2021, Refaelov scored a brace in a 3–2 home win against Zulte Waregem.[25]

Refaelov was a regular starter under Vincent Kompany as Anderlecht finished third in the Israeli's first season at the club for 2021-22, scoring 19 goals and supplying six assists in all competitions in the process, Refaelov's best-ever goals tally for a single season.

But continuing boardroom upheaval and the re-emergence as a force of neighbours Union St-Gilloise, who had beaten Anderlecht a record four times in the league campaign, resulting in Kompany being let go at the end of the season, moving to Burnley. Replacements Felice Mazzu and Brian Riemer failed to make waves domestically with Anderlecht slumping to 11th in 2022-23, their lowest finish since 1937.

Despite reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Conference League, only losing to AZ Alkmaar on penalties in the last-eight, Refaelov was released at the end of the 2022-23 season.[26][27][28]

International career

Refaelov represented Israel in the 2003 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Portugal, scoring his international youth side's only goal in the tournament in a 1–2 loss to England U-17 on 7 May 2003.[29]

As part of the Israel U-21, he won the Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament 2006.[30][31]

He made his debut for the Israeli senior national side in an friendly against Belarus on 22 August 2007, replacing Idan Tal for the last nine minutes of a 1–2 away defeat.[32] His next appearance came in another friendly match on 27 May 2010, against Uruguay at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo; he scored the equaliser in a 1–4 away defeat.[33]

On 15 March 2022, Refaelov announced his retirement from the Israel national team.[34]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 26 February 2022[35][36]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Maccabi Haifa 2004–05 Israeli Premier League 20—20
2005–06 Israeli Premier League 191—191
2006–07 Israeli Premier League 251—251
2007–08 Israeli Premier League 273—273
2008–09 Israeli Premier League 339—339
2009–10 Israeli Premier League 34712[lower-alpha 1]1468
2010–11 Israeli Premier League 27112[lower-alpha 2]02911
Total 1673214118133
Club Brugge 2011–12 Belgian Pro League 3262012[lower-alpha 2]16[lower-alpha 3]0467
2012–13 Belgian Pro League 2810107[lower-alpha 4]28[lower-alpha 3]13612
2013–14 Belgian Pro League 334202[lower-alpha 2]19[lower-alpha 3]2375
2014–15 Belgian Pro League 30104214[lower-alpha 2]69[lower-alpha 3]43818
2015–16 Belgian Pro League 156511[lower-alpha 2]04[lower-alpha 3]1217
2016–17 Belgian First Division A 212101[lower-alpha 1]04[lower-alpha 5]0242
2017–18 Belgian First Division A 182004[lower-alpha 1]07[lower-alpha 3]2224
Total 177401534110471022453
Royal Antwerp (loan) 2018–19 Belgian First Division A 34101000113611
Royal Antwerp 2019–20 Belgian First Division A 2411524[lower-alpha 2]0—3313
2020–21 Belgian First Division A 339208[lower-alpha 2]5—4314
Total 9129821251111238
Anderlecht 2021–22 Belgian First Division A 3712653[lower-alpha 6]2004619
Career total 406102271070184811551141
  1. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  2. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearances in Belgian Pro League play-offs
  4. Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, five appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League
  5. One appearance in Belgian Super Cup, three appearances in Belgian Pro League play-offs
  6. Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

International
Scores and results list Israel's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Refaelov goal.[37]
List of international goals scored by Lior Refaelov
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
126 May 2010Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay Uruguay1–11–4Friendly
217 November 2010Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv, Israel Iceland3–03–2Friendly
311 October 2011Ta' Qali National Stadium, Mdina, Malta Malta1–02–0UEFA Euro 2012 qualification
46 February 2013Netanya Stadium, Netanya, Israel Finland2–12–1Friendly
526 March 2013Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland Northern Ireland1–02–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA
624 March 2017El Molinón, Gijón, Spain Spain1–31–42018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA

Honours

Club

Maccabi Haifa

Club Brugge

Royal Antwerp

Individual

See also

References
  1. "Profile page at the Israel Football Association website". Archived from the original on 18 May 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  2. "Refaelov raring for Israel derby with Luzon in Belgian league". The Jerusalem Post. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  3. "Club Brugge 2-1 Anderlecht". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  4. ""Наш" футболист - Лиор Рафаэлов" (in Russian). stmegi.com. 30 December 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  5. "הצמודה של רפאלוב". ONE.co.il. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  6. "הבלגים בחרו: גל רפאלוב היא האישה היפה במדינה". ספורט 1 (in Hebrew). 19 January 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  7. History of Maccabi Haifa F.C.
  8. "Rafaelov leaving Haifif for Belgium". The Jerusalem Post. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  9. "Top Israelis to Play in Europe". FootballExpress.co.uk. 24 May 2023.
  10. Ben Dor, Doron (21 June 2011). "Lior Refaelov moving to Club Brugge" (in Hebrew). One. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  11. Vinde, Nicklas (6 November 2014). "Club Brugge's Refaelov runs rings round FCK". UEFA. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  12. "Club Brugge win Belgian Cup final thriller". UEFA. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  13. "Standard redt seizoen met bekerwinst" (in Dutch). Sporza. 20 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  14. "Summary - FIRST DIVISION A 2015-16". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  15. "Antwerp huurt Refaelov voor één seizoen van Club Brugge" (in Dutch). Gazet Van Antwerpen. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  16. "Antwerp blikt Zulte Waregem in met 5-1" (in Dutch). Gazet Van Antwerpen. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  17. "Uitblinker Refaelov deelt prikje uit aan Cercle" (in Dutch). Voetbalnieuws. 9 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  18. "Lior Refaelov: A true Israeli sports ambassador". Jerusalem Post. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  19. "Antwerp wins Belgian Cup as soccer resumes in Belgium". The Seattle Times. 1 August 2020.
  20. "Antwerp 1–0 Tottenham". UEFA. 29 October 2020.
  21. "Lior Refaelov is elected 67th Golden Shoe and ends 54 years of waiting for Antwerp". archyde. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  22. "Lior Refaelov ne sera pas présent au stade pour Antwerp-Anderlecht (Lior Refaelov will not be present at the stadium for Antwerp-Anderlecht)". SudInfo (in French). 7 May 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  23. "Ria Vandoorne vetoed playing minutes for Lior Refaelov at Antwerp FC after transfer to RSC Anderlecht". Archysport (in French). 9 March 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  24. "Anderlecht sign REFAELOV from Antwerp". Ghana Soccernet. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  25. Anderlecht sleept dankzij twee goals van Lior Refaelov wel zege binnen tegen Zulte Waregem, standaard.be (dutch), 5 December 2021
  26. "Geen nieuw contract: Anderlecht en Lior Refaelov gaan uit elkaar (No new contract: Anderlecht and Lior Refaelov are separating)". Sporza (in Dutch). 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  27. "Lior Refaelov en Anderlecht na dit seizoen uit elkaar: "Club moet aantal beslissingen nemen in functie van toekomststrategie" (Lior Refaelov and Anderlecht split up after this season: "Club has to make a number of decisions in function of future strategy")". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  28. "Waarom het vertrek van modelprof en creatieveling Lior Refaelov zowel een goeie zaak, als een slechte zaak is voor Anderlecht (Why the departure of model pro and creative Lior Refaelov is both a good thing and a bad thing for Anderlecht)". Het Nieuwsblad. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  29. "England boosted by Milner winner". UEFA. 7 May 2003. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  30. "Israel 2-0 Belarus". Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  31. "Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament". Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  32. "Belarus v Israel, 22 August 2007". 11v11. 22 August 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  33. "Uruguay 4-1 Israel". Sky Sports. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  34. "עצוב לי שלא הייתי בנבחרת בשנים הטובות שלי - ספורט 5". 15 March 2022.
  35. "Lior Refaelov » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  36. Lior Refaelov at Soccerway. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  37. "Refaelov, Lior". National Football Teams. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  38. "Israel - Player of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
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