Lebanese football star Celine Haidar awakes from coma two months after Israeli airstrike
Celine Haidar, pictured here July 2022; was injured after a series of Israeli airstrikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs on Saturday morning, November 16. Instagram @celinehaidarr
BEIRUT, January 9, 2025 – Celine Haidar, a 19-year-old standout in Lebanese women's football, has woke up from a coma nearly two months after sustaining a critical head injury during a brutal Israeli airstrike in Beirut.
ATTACK DETAILS On November 16, 2024, Haidar was at her home in the Al-Chiyyah neighbourhood of Beirut's southern suburbs when an Israeli airstrike targeted the area. She was struck by shrapnel on the right side of her head, resulting in severe injuries that led to a medically induced coma.
Her father said in November, that their neighbourhood had been subject to ongoing threats and bombardment before the family moved to a safer location outside Beirut thanks to Celine's connections: “Celine is a very vibrant and sociable person. She found us a refuge house in Baakline.”
MEDICAL UPDATE Speaking from Saint Georges Hospital where his daughter is being treated, her father Abbas, confirmed that she regained consciousness a few days ago (without giving a date). Saying “By the grace of God she has awakened from the coma but she remains in ICU as she cannot speak and still requires a ventilator to help her breathe properly,” said Abbas Haidar. Although she remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), relying still on a ventilator, she has recognized family members and communicates by writing. Further medical assessments are required to determine if she will make a full recovery.
FOOTBALL COMMUNITY SUPPORT Samer Barbary, Haidar's coach at Beirut Football Academy (BFA), visited her recently. He noted that despite her current limitations: “She is still on a ventilator, however, she extended her right arm to shake hands with me... When I asked if she still wanted to play football, she pressed on my hand and moved her right leg in an obvious sign of wanting to do so,” Barbary said.
Coach Barbary added: “Her medical treatment and follow-up still requires time and effort... and based on how her medical situation progresses, we hope that it becomes possible for her to follow rehabilitation and be back on the green pitch.
“She is Lebanon’s Sergio Busquets and has got remarkable skills in her position as a central midfielder.”
BACKGROUND & ACHIEVEMENTS Haidar has been a prominent figure in Lebanese women's football. She captained Beirut Football Academy (BFA) to an undefeated league title in the 2023-2024 season and was part of Lebanon's Under-19 Women's National Team that won the 2022 West Asia Cup. Before her injury, she had been called up multiple times to the senior national team, highlighting her status as one of the country's most promising talents.
“Celine is one of the best football midfielders in Lebanon... she is consistent, stable and a leader. She played a major role in us winning the 2024 league unbeaten,” Barbary said. Before joining BFA in 2021, she played for Safa Club and with them won the Lebanese National League.
COMMUNITY IMPACT The airstrike that injured Haidar was part of a series of Israeli military actions in Beirut, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Beirut's southern suburbs reduced to rubble, among other towns in South Lebanon, have experienced devastating impacts, with numerous fatalities and injuries reported.
Haidar's injury has elicited an outpouring of support from the Lebanese community and the international sports world, with many expressing hope for her full recovery and return to the sport she loves.
ATTACK DETAILS On November 16, 2024, Haidar was at her home in the Al-Chiyyah neighbourhood of Beirut's southern suburbs when an Israeli airstrike targeted the area. She was struck by shrapnel on the right side of her head, resulting in severe injuries that led to a medically induced coma.
Her father said in November, that their neighbourhood had been subject to ongoing threats and bombardment before the family moved to a safer location outside Beirut thanks to Celine's connections: “Celine is a very vibrant and sociable person. She found us a refuge house in Baakline.”
MEDICAL UPDATE Speaking from Saint Georges Hospital where his daughter is being treated, her father Abbas, confirmed that she regained consciousness a few days ago (without giving a date). Saying “By the grace of God she has awakened from the coma but she remains in ICU as she cannot speak and still requires a ventilator to help her breathe properly,” said Abbas Haidar. Although she remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), relying still on a ventilator, she has recognized family members and communicates by writing. Further medical assessments are required to determine if she will make a full recovery.
FOOTBALL COMMUNITY SUPPORT Samer Barbary, Haidar's coach at Beirut Football Academy (BFA), visited her recently. He noted that despite her current limitations: “She is still on a ventilator, however, she extended her right arm to shake hands with me... When I asked if she still wanted to play football, she pressed on my hand and moved her right leg in an obvious sign of wanting to do so,” Barbary said.
Coach Barbary added: “Her medical treatment and follow-up still requires time and effort... and based on how her medical situation progresses, we hope that it becomes possible for her to follow rehabilitation and be back on the green pitch.
“She is Lebanon’s Sergio Busquets and has got remarkable skills in her position as a central midfielder.”
BACKGROUND & ACHIEVEMENTS Haidar has been a prominent figure in Lebanese women's football. She captained Beirut Football Academy (BFA) to an undefeated league title in the 2023-2024 season and was part of Lebanon's Under-19 Women's National Team that won the 2022 West Asia Cup. Before her injury, she had been called up multiple times to the senior national team, highlighting her status as one of the country's most promising talents.
“Celine is one of the best football midfielders in Lebanon... she is consistent, stable and a leader. She played a major role in us winning the 2024 league unbeaten,” Barbary said. Before joining BFA in 2021, she played for Safa Club and with them won the Lebanese National League.
COMMUNITY IMPACT The airstrike that injured Haidar was part of a series of Israeli military actions in Beirut, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Beirut's southern suburbs reduced to rubble, among other towns in South Lebanon, have experienced devastating impacts, with numerous fatalities and injuries reported.
Haidar's injury has elicited an outpouring of support from the Lebanese community and the international sports world, with many expressing hope for her full recovery and return to the sport she loves.
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