Gadi Kinda, Maccabi Haifa Midfielder, Passes Away at Age 31

HAIFA, Israel — The Israeli soccer community mourns the death of Gadi Kinda, a midfielder for Maccabi Haifa, who died on Tuesday at the age of 31 after a prolonged hospitalization due to a serious medical condition.

Kinda had been hospitalized for several weeks while undergoing treatment for a complex medical issue. Two weeks prior to his death, Maccabi Haifa released a statement saying, “Gadi has been dealing with a complex medical issue in recent weeks.” The club emphasized their support for Kinda and his family during this challenging time.

As news of his condition spread, fellow players, fans, and club staff rallied in support of Kinda, sending messages of hope. A video featuring Kinda alongside Rabbi Shneor Guetta circulated online, showcasing a moment of prayer for his recovery. However, the community’s hopes were dashed on Monday when the club announced his passing.

Kinda joined Maccabi Haifa in January 2024 after spending four seasons with Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer (MLS). He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract upon his return to Israel, contributing to the team with four assists and two goals in his first season back. His final appearance was on March 29 in a match against Hapoel Haifa.

Born in Ethiopia and raised in Israel, Kinda began his career in the youth system of Ashdod SC, where he made his professional debut. In February 2019, he transferred to Beitar Jerusalem in a deal worth €1 million (approximately $1.1 million). After a year, he moved to the United States to join Sporting Kansas City, where he earned 14 goals and 16 assists in 64 regular-season games before returning to Israel.

In addition to his club achievements, Kinda earned nine caps for the Israel national team, scoring two goals. Fellow players across the Israeli Premier League wore shirts with Kinda’s name as a tribute, with Maccabi Haifa captain Lior Refaelov donning Kinda’s full kit during a match against Hapoel Beersheba, further demonstrating the impact Kinda had in his community.

The club’s statement read, “The Maccabi Haifa family hugs the Kinda family and prays that they will not know any more sorrow.”