Eran Zahavi Becomes Israel's Richest Footballer with 250M Shekel Empire

Former Maccabi Tel Aviv and Israel national team star Eran Zahavi is proving that his competitive drive extends far beyond the football pitch. According to a recent capital analysis published by Israel Hayom, Zahavi's net worth and bank accounts are currently estimated at approximately 250 million shekels, making him the highest-earning Israeli footballer of all time.

Business Ventures and Real Estate

Zahavi's fortune was primarily accumulated through massive salaries and lucrative bonuses during his playing career in China and Europe, alongside extensive advertising campaigns and diverse real estate investments in Israel and Dubai. Recently, he translated his passion for padel into a major business venture.

Through a chance meeting on the padel court, Zahavi partnered with American-Israeli philanthropist Joey Low, an early investor in tech giants like WeWork and Taboola. The pair submitted a joint bid to establish the Padel Ra'anana Premium Indoor Club, a massive indoor facility projected to cost roughly 12 million shekels, with 10 million funded out of pocket.

"I fell in love with padel and am trying to take it one step further. Football is always in my heart, but right now I am focused on other things," Zahavi stated.

The EZ7 Padel Tour and Real Estate

Alongside the Ra'anana complex—which will feature indoor courts, a gym, wellness areas, a sauna, and seating for over 100 spectators—Zahavi launched the EZ7 Padel Tour. This national league is expected to generate monthly revenues of about 50,000 shekels, excluding tournament fees and sponsorships.

In addition to sports entrepreneurship, Zahavi continues to invest heavily in property. He recently purchased two luxury 5-room apartments in Electra Residences' Riverside project in Yehud-Monosson for a total of 11 million shekels, while also securing an official endorsement deal with the company.