Mohammed Balah, a professional footballer from Gaza, has overcome significant obstacles in his pursuit of a return to competitive football amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges in the region. Once known as the “Ronaldo of Gaza,” Balah’s career trajectory reflects both the disruption caused by war and his determination to rebuild his professional life.
Balah, who began his career at Al-Sadaqa in Gaza, left Palestine in 2017 to pursue opportunities abroad. At the age of 23, following a league championship and recognition as the second-highest scorer and best player, he secured contracts in Jordan and Oman. His success enabled him to invest in a real estate portfolio in Gaza, elevating his standing both on and off the field.
However, the outbreak of intensified hostilities in Gaza on October 7, 2023, brought the local football league to a halt. Ittihad Shujaiya’s 3-1 victory over Hilal Gaza on October 2 became the final recorded match before the conflict froze sporting activities. The ensuing violence led to widespread casualties, including at least 368 members of the Palestinian football community, according to the Palestine Football Association.
Balah and his family fled Gaza City in the wake of the violence, initially relocating to Khan Younis before settling in a tent in Rafah. At the time, he was recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that prematurely ended a significant move to Egyptian club Al-Masry. His aspirations to participate in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup were thwarted by the conflict, and he resorted to watching the tournament intermittently from his temporary shelter amid unreliable electricity and internet access.
In the spring of 2024, with limited prospects for professional play in Gaza, Balah faced further challenges. He managed to leave Gaza in April after paying a $7,000 fee to Egyptian authorities at the Rafah crossing. Plans to bring his pregnant wife, Maryam, to Egypt were delayed indefinitely when Israeli military operations in Rafah suspended border crossings in May 2024. Since then, Balah has only seen his two-year-old son, Hamza, through video calls.
Upon arrival in Egypt, Balah underwent surgery to repair a broken toe and engaged in rigorous rehabilitation. During this period, Gaza endured heavy bombardment, with reports indicating Israel dropped approximately 70,000 tonnes of ordnance in the first half of the conflict. Despite these challenges, Balah maintained an intense training regimen, dedicating six hours a day, six days a week, to rebuild his fitness.
Offers from clubs in Jordan and Oman emerged as he recovered, but Balah opted to wait for a more substantial opportunity. That opportunity arrived in the form of Arab Contractors, an Egyptian club known for nurturing talents such as Mohamed Salah and Mohamed El-Nenny. Having been relegated from Egypt’s top division the previous season, the club sought a goal scorer and extended Balah a one-week trial. His performance secured him a contract, marking a new chapter in his career.
Balah’s journey underscores the resilience of athletes facing adversity amid conflict and highlights the broader impact of war on sports communities in Gaza. His determination to resume professional football serves as a testament to his personal ambitions and the enduring spirit of Palestinian athletes.