Israeli Footballers Acquire Portuguese Citizenship to Ease Entry into European Leagues

Over 40 professional Israeli footballers, including 12 members of the national team, obtained Portuguese citizenship in 2023. The legal basis for acquiring the passports is Portugal’s law granting citizenship to descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century.

Among the players who took advantage of this law are Manor Solomon and Shon Weissman, both currently playing for European clubs. Portuguese citizenship enables Israeli athletes to bypass EU restrictions on non-EU players, streamlining their transfers and improving career prospects in European leagues.

This trend has gained momentum amid ongoing political instability and international conflicts affecting Israel, which have imposed limitations on the country’s athletes. Experts expect this practice to expand in the coming years.

Analysts emphasize that this is not only a strategic move for athletic mobility but also a symbolic step toward historical justice in the context of global sports.