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Tai Baribo (Hebrew: תאי בריבו; born 15 January 1998) is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer and the Israel national team.

Early life

Baribo was born and raised in Eilat,[3] Israel, to an Israeli family of Sephardi Jewish descent.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] He explained that as an adult he has found out that the meaning of his unusual first name is a Hebrew acronym for the phrase "The Torah of the Land of Israel".[11] His mother Maya died of cancer when he was 11 years of age, and since then Baribo has decided that his career is dedicated to the memory of her.[11] His father Itzik[12] owns a Water Sports Center in Eilat, Israel, where Baribo was first noticed for his talent as an 11 years old youngster.[11] He is the youngest of three children.[3]

He was enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a soldier in 2016,[13] until his honorable discharge in 2019.[14]

He also holds a Portuguese passport, on account of his Sephardi Jewish ancestors, which eases the move to certain European football leagues.[10]

Club career

Maccabi Petah Tikva

Baribo started playing football for Israeli side Hapoel Rishon LeZion. Due to the long distance, he had to get to team training on flights. When he reached the age of 15, he signed with Maccabi Petah Tikva.

On 1 March 2017, Baribo made his senior debut in the 1–2 loss against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 2016–17 Israel State Cup.[15]

Wolfsberger AC

Baribo signed a two-year contract with Austrian Football Bundesliga club Wolfsberger AC on 9 July 2021.[16][17] He made his debut for the club on 25 July, the opening day of the 2021–22 season, coming off the bench as a late substitute for Thorsten Röcher in a 1–1 draw against Austria Klagenfurt.[18] He scored his first goals the following month, securing a 2–2 draw against WSG Tirol by netting a brace.[19]

Philadelphia Union

In August 2023, Philadelphia Union acquired Baribo from Wolfsberger AC for an undisclosed amount. Baribo signed a 2.5 year contract with the club.[20][21]

International career

Baribo made his senior debut for the Israel national team opening in a friendly 0–2 away loss to Germany on 26 March 2022.[22]

On 24 September 2022, Baribo scored the first goal for his native Israel against Albania in the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League in a 2–1 home victory for Israel.[23]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 1 June 2022[1]
Club Season League League National cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Maccabi Petah Tikva 2016–17 Israeli Premier League 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
2017–18 8 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
2018–19 31 7 3 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 38 7
2019–20 Liga Leumit 25 9 4 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 33 11
2020–21 Israeli Premier League 28 6 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 32 6
Total 96 23 9 1 15 1 0 0 0 0 120 25
Wolfsberger AC 2021–22 Austrian Football Bundesliga 29 11 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 13
Total 29 11 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 13
Career total 125 34 12 3 15 1 0 0 0 0 152 38

International

As of match played 19 June 2023[24][25]
National team Year Apps Goals
Israel 2022 7 3
2023 4 0
Total 11 3
Scores and results list Israel's goal tally first.
List of international goals scored by Tai Baribo
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 24 September 2022 Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv, Israel  Albania 2–1 2–1 2022–23 UEFA Nations League B
2. 17 November 2022 HaMoshava Stadium, Petah Tikva, Israel  Zambia 1–0 4–2 Friendly
3. 20 November 2022  Cyprus 2–2 2–3

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Tai Baribo at Soccerway Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ Tai Baribo at ESPN FC Edit this at Wikidata
  3. ^ a b "תאי בריבו ערך בכורה בהרכב מכבי פ"ת: "החיים הכריחו אותי להתבגר מהר"". 22 March 2018.
  4. ^ "יוצא לאירופה: תאי בריבו חתם ל-3 שנים בוולפסברגר".
  5. ^ "Instagram".
  6. ^ "Instagram".
  7. ^ "Instagram".
  8. ^ "Instagram".
  9. ^ "Instagram".
  10. ^ a b https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/tai-baribo/
  11. ^ a b c נתן, דוד (25 September 2019). ""אמא ביקשה שלא אפסיק לשחק"". Ynet.
  12. ^ "תאי בריבו: "מקווה למספרים דומים לשל שון וייסמן ומואנס דאבור" – ספורט 5".
  13. ^ "Instagram".
  14. ^ "Instagram".
  15. ^ "Match Details". IFA. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Offensiv-Power | RZ Pellets WAC". Wolfsberger AC (in German). 9 July 2021. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  17. ^ "Israeli footballer Tai Baribo signs for Austria's Wolfsberger AC". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 9 July 2021. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Austria Klagenfurt vs. Wolfsberger AC – 25 July 2021". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  19. ^ "2:2! Wolfsberg und WSG Tirol bleiben sieglos". Sky Sport Austria (in German). 14 August 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  20. ^ "US soccer team Philadelphia Union sign Israel's Tai Baribo". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  21. ^ Union, Philadelphia. "Philadelphia Union Sign Forward Tai Baribo". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  22. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Germany vs. Israel". www.national-football-teams.com.
  23. ^ https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2034543--israel-vs-albania/
  24. ^ Tai Baribo – Israel Football Association national team player details Edit this at Wikidata
  25. ^ https://www.football.org.il/national-team-player/?player_id=103224

External links

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_Baribo