- August 30, 2025
- 11:48 pm
- World News
Many in Israel do not know the name Oleksandr Zinchenko. But this footballer is the captain of the Ukrainian national team and a player for Arsenal. His post in support of Israel caused an international scandal and disrupted two transfers at once.
Who is Oleksandr Zinchenko?
Oleksandr Zinchenko was born on December 15, 1996, in Radomyshl, Ukraine.
- Started in the Shakhtar academy.
- Played for the Russian club Ufa.
- In 2016, he moved to Manchester City, where he became a four-time English champion and won national cups.
- Since 2022, he has been playing for Arsenal.
- In 2021, he became the youngest captain of the Ukrainian national team in official matches.
- He has played over 70 matches for the national team, scoring 12 goals.
Oleksandr Zinchenko actively supports Ukraine: he became an ambassador for the United24 fund, organized a charity match Game4Ukraine with Andriy Shevchenko, and donates money to help the army and victims. His personal donations amounted to about £1 million, and the funds from Game4Ukraine went to restore schools and destroyed infrastructure. He has repeatedly made public statements, including: “My country belongs to Ukrainians, and we will not give it away,” and said he is ready to return to fight. The footballer’s family remains in Ukraine, and he emphasizes that his voice in the football world is needed so that the war is not forgotten.
Post in support of Israel
October 8, 2023, after the Hamas attack, Zinchenko posted an Instagram story with the Star of David and the caption “I stand with Israel”.
The captain of the Ukrainian national team and one of the voices supporting the country on the international stage, like millions of others worldwide, posted words of compassion for Israelis in his Instagram stories as a sign of solidarity, which many were unhappy with.
This happened before Arsenal’s Saturday match against Manchester City, Zinchenko’s former club, 81% of whose shares, by the way, belong to sheikhs from the Abu Dhabi United Group, and the stadium of Zinchenko’s current club is named “Emirates.”
Dissatisfied users flooded the post with comments. Some wrote:
“It’s funny how he is one of those crying about what Russia is doing to Ukraine.”
“This very guy wants us to show sympathy for his beloved Ukraine. Disgusting.”
For Israel, this was a rare gesture of solidarity from an athlete of such a level. But the reaction of Arab users was swift. Thousands of comments poured onto his page: from criticism to direct insults.
Under pressure, the footballer deleted the post and closed his account. But screenshots spread across social networks and media, and the story began to live its own life.
Why was the reaction so harsh?
- Zinchenko previously played for Manchester City, a club with owners from Arab countries.
- His current club Arsenal plays at the Emirates Stadium, named after an airline from the UAE.
- In world football, it is customary to avoid sharp political statements, and he said directly: “I stand with Israel”.
This episode became key and directly affected his career two years later.
Consequences: two disrupted transfers
Turkey: Fenerbahçe
In the summer of 2025, negotiations between Fenerbahçe and Arsenal were almost complete. Salary and contract terms were being discussed.
But when the topic of his post in support of Israel surfaced, Turkish fans launched a massive campaign against the transfer. Threats and calls for a boycott appeared on social networks.
The main factor was the footballer’s political stance. Previously, Zinchenko publicly expressed support for Israel, which caused a wave of criticism in Turkey, especially among Palestine supporters. Therefore, Fenerbahçe’s management began to doubt the advisability of signing the contract.
The situation became complicated after the player began receiving numerous threatening messages from fans. As a result, Zinchenko, as it became known on August 24, 2025, decided to stay at Arsenal to avoid possible conflicts and risks associated with the transfer.
Outcome: the transfer fell through due to the political context, not football reasons.
France: Marseille
The next candidate was Marseille. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi, familiar with the Ukrainian from working at Shakhtar, was personally interested in the transfer.
But as soon as the news of the negotiations appeared in the press, “fans” engaged in protest. In the Arab community of Marseille, numbering about 200,000 people, a campaign against the footballer began. Representatives of the Arab society in France did not forget Zinchenko’s act of support for Israel.
On social networks, the hashtag #zinchenkonotwelcome appeared. Publications were accompanied by Palestinian flags and calls for a boycott. The hashtag trended, and the club’s management realized that signing the player could cause a conflict with fans.
Outcome: On August 29, 2025, information appeared that the transfer might be disrupted due to fan protests disagreeing with the player’s political views.
Social media as a pressure factor
Zinchenko’s case showed that today an athlete’s career depends not only on form and play on the field. One Instagram story can disrupt multimillion-dollar deals and change the trajectory of a career.
Position in Arsenal
In Arsenal, Zinchenko also faces a difficult situation. Due to injuries and competition, he lost his place in the starting lineup. In the match against Manchester United at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, he was not even included in the squad.
The club planned to sell the player to relieve the budget. But after protests in Turkey and France, transfer options closed, and the Ukrainian remained in London.
Why this is important for Israel
Zinchenko’s story is important for Israelis for two reasons.
- It is an example of open support for Israel from a well-known world-class footballer.
- It clearly shows the risks such a position entails: threats, boycotts, disrupted contracts.
NAnovosti – Israel News emphasizes: Zinchenko’s case proves that sports have long ceased to exist separately from politics. Supporting Israel can have a high price — even for world football stars.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is a talented and titled footballer, captain of the Ukrainian national team, and an Arsenal player. But his words in support of Israel in October 2023 became a turning point.
In 2025, he lost two transfers — to Fenerbahçe and Marseille — precisely because of his political stance. Now his future depends not only on his play on the field but also on how different countries perceive his civic position.
Why this story is important for the Ukrainian community in Israel
For Israelis of Ukrainian origin, such stories are especially significant. Support for Israel from well-known Ukrainians, including world-class athletes, is perceived as a gesture of solidarity that strengthens the bond between the two peoples.
The Ukrainian community in Israel lives in two realities: on one hand, the war in Ukraine, on the other, the constant threat to Israel’s security. When a footballer of Zinchenko’s level openly says “I stand with Israel,” it becomes a symbol of unity and a common struggle against aggression.
That is why such events resonate. They show that Israelis and Ukrainians share similar values and experiences — living under fire, fighting for independence, and the right to their future. For the diaspora, this is not just football news but confirmation that its voice is heard in the world.
FAQ
Who is Oleksandr Zinchenko?
A Ukrainian footballer, Arsenal player, former captain of the Ukrainian national team, four-time English champion.
What did he do in 2023?
Posted a story with the Israeli flag and the caption “I stand with Israel,” then deleted the post due to a wave of criticism.
What consequences did this have?
In 2025, fan protests disrupted his transfers to Turkey and France.
Why is this important for Israel?
Because it is a rare example of open support that simultaneously brought the footballer recognition (what kind? where?) and serious problems.