The 38-year-old Partizan Belgrade midfielder and former captain of the Israeli national team announced his retirement on Wednesday via a video posted to social media, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career spanning two decades across Israel and Europe.
“Sometimes in life everything works out exactly the way you wanted, sometimes everything falls apart,” Natcho shared in an emotional message.
“After more than 500 games and hundreds of goals and assists, my journey is coming to an end. I couldn’t imagine myself playing anywhere else after Partizan. This stadium has become my home.”
From Tel Aviv to History-Maker
Natcho began his journey in Hapoel Tel Aviv’s youth academy, breaking into the senior team at age 18 and making his debut on November 18, 2006, against Maccabi Netanya. Under coach Eli Gutman, he blossomed into a key playmaker alongside stars like Itay Shechter and Gili Vermut, helping the club secure the State Cup and qualify for the Europa League.
In March 2018, Natcho cemented his legacy in a watershed moment for Israeli sports when he, a Circassian Muslim from the town of Kafr Kama located in the Lower Galilee, was named the permanent national team captain ahead of a friendly against Romania, becoming Israel’s first-ever non-Jewish captain. He went on to record 88 appearances for the national team, ranking fifth all-time.
Despite his leadership, Natcho’s role as a non-Jewish captain frequently placed him at the center of complex tensions within Israeli soccer, most notably regarding his personal decision not to sing the national anthem because its lyrics celebrate the “Jewish soul.”
This cultural divide was further highlighted when coach Guy Levi sparked massive backlash by publicly stating he would not sign Arab players to Beitar Jerusalem to avoid provoking the club’s fanatical fanbase. Ultimately, these controversies underscored the intense societal pressures Natcho had to navigate throughout his groundbreaking international career.
Domination in Europe
At age 22, the gifted midfielder embarked on a highly successful European career. He spent four years at Rubin Kazan, where his stand-out performances included a memorable brace against Chelsea in the Europa League.
After a brief stint with PAOK Thessaloniki, he returned to Russia with CSKA Moscow, where he played another four seasons and captured the Russian Premier League championship.
Following a season with Olympiacos, Natcho moved to Partizan Belgrade in 2019, where he spent the final chapters of his European career as a beloved icon.
Widely regarded as an intelligent player and a natural leader, he captained multiple clubs across various European leagues. Among his many accolades, he finished as the top assist provider in the 2013/14 Europa League season and was honored with the President of the State of Israel’s decoration in 2023.
The veteran midfielder will play his final professional match this coming Saturday, making his farewell appearance in a Serbian league clash against Radnik Surdulica at the Jomska Stadium.
