Avi Nimni
Encyclopedia
Avi Nimni is Maccabi Tel Aviv's highest ever scorer and is regarded as one of Maccabi Tel Aviv's greatest players ever. Until 2006, he served as the captain of the Israeli national football team
. His number eight (8) shirt has become so symbolic (despite him wearing the number sixteen as a youth, because Uri Malmilian
wore the number 8) that the club has retired the number at the end of his active football.
At 17 he played his first game in the Liga Leumit
and was a regular for Maccabi's first team at 18. Whilst at Maccabi Nimni experienced much success becoming one of the most important players in side during this period.
In 1998 he inherited the Maccabi captaincy when the previous longserving captain Nir Klinger
retired through injury. Klinger went on to become assistant coach at Maccabi.
A year later Nimni was loaned out to Derby County
. Although Nimni set up a goal on his debut and also scored away to Everton
, in what subsequently proved to be a handful of appearances, Derby decided not to purchase Nimni outright. They instead only signed fellow loanee Georgiou Kinkladze
to ensure they had no more than three non-EU first-team players, and Nimni returned to Maccabi.
was appointed Head Coach of Maccabi. As a former Maccabi player he was well respected by the fans. He was nicknamed "The Soul" for playing in any situation despite being injured on many occasions.
Following Maccabi's 3-0 loss at home to Hapoel Be'er Sheva they went to play title holders Maccabi Haifa
in the 14th fixture of the season. Astonishingly Klinger shocked the entire nation by naming Nimni on the bench, and replaced him with Baruch Dego
. After an incredible game Maccabi emerged as 3–2 victors. Nimni remained on the bench for the remainder of the season only to watch Dego pick up the player of the season accolade.
After the 28th fixture, Nimni gave an interview to a radio show claiming, "players told me that, if I played we would have had 15 points more". On hearing this Klinger sent him to the stands dropping him from the squad. During the 30th game of the season Dego broke his ankle with the fixture against Beitar Jerusalem looming. At the time Maccabi were in first place. They had exactly the same points as Maccabi Haifa
and Hapoel Tel Aviv
but had a better goal difference of the three teams. Beitar took the lead after 32 minutes and doubled their score just a minute later. Beitar went into the half-time break 2–1 up after an own goal a minute before. Maccabi were watching the Championship slip from their grasp. However Nimni had other ideas and scored two goals leading Maccabi to a 3–2 win.
In the 32nd game, Maccabi played Bnei Yehuda and Nimni scored a hat-trick and Maccabi won 5–0. After the match in an interview a reporter asked Klinger about Nimni, Klinger replied "do you want it in a phrase or a song; Avi Nimni is the king". In the final game of the season Maccabi faced Hapoel Petah Tikva. 40,000 spectators saw Nimni score leading Maccabi to a 3–0 win. Consequently they lifted the Championship. Despite being dropped earlier in the season Nimni finished the season as Maccabi's top goalscorer with 14 goals.
However, not everything was rosy for Nimni. It was reported that he and teammate Tal Banin
(ex-Brescia
) had a bust-up. The team was divided between "Avi Nimni supporters" and "Tal Banin supporters". Nimni, Banin and Klinger all denied the reports that any altercation had occurred.
On 13 August 2003, Klinger called a press conference to be covered by all the media. He issued a statement along the lines that "the dispute between Nimni and Banin is destroing every good part in Maccabi, dividing the team, and causing nothing but anger between the players". He forced both Nimni and Banin out of the club.
The fans were outraged and for two years they came in black shirts as a sign of grief and holding signs saying: "8 is in our blood, Avi Nimni will always be in Maccabi". The fans were not satisfied despite winning the Cup and taking second place in the league resulting in the qualification to the UEFA Champions League
for the first time ever.
After being kicked out of Maccabi, Nimni joined Beitar Jerusalem. He played at the Teddy Stadium for two years scoring 20 goals.
After two years of exile Nimni was brought back to Maccabi in 2005 by none other than Nir Klinger, who resigned later that year.
After a bad year when Maccabi only one the State Cup, Nimni moved forward to another year with the yellow side.
the 2006/07 season was a pretty good year to Avi surely better than the previous. Avi scored in that season 10 goals with his actually last year as a player. Nimni said that he want to retire in the end of the season but a lose to the fierce rivals in the local derby Hapoel Tel Aviv made him to consider his retirement and he decided to stay for another year.
Nimni's last year started with a lose the Andorra
Santa Coloma. on August 25, 2007 Nimni Scored his last goal for the Israeli Premier league on the second fixture versus Maccabi Petah Tikva and the became the third all time scorer.
After that Avi was injured in the Toto Cup that made him to be out for all the year.
On May 17 2008 Avi Nimni played his last match when he entered on the 90 minute to the crowds roar, some of the people even cried. after Nimni retire, Maccabi Tel Aviv decided to retire is shirt too.
Nimni is Maccabi's all time top goalscorer, having scored 174 goals. He has scored 194 goals overall in the league, and he is now the number three of all time top goalscorer in Israeli football.
Israel national football team
The Israel national football team is the national football team of Israel, controlled by the Israel Football Association .Israel National Football is the direct successor of the Eretz Yisrael National Team during British Mandate...
. His number eight (8) shirt has become so symbolic (despite him wearing the number sixteen as a youth, because Uri Malmilian
Uri Malmilian
Uri Malmilian is an Israeli former football player and current manager.-Early life and playing career:Born in the neighbourhood of Mamilla in Jerusalem, Israel, Malmilian had a memorable playing career in the Liga Leumit at Beitar Jerusalem. He is regarded as one the best Israeli players...
wore the number 8) that the club has retired the number at the end of his active football.
Early years
When Nimni was approximately seven years old he arrived at Maccabi Tel Aviv's training facility Kiriat Shalom. Instantly he fell in love with the beautiful game. Nimni played for every Maccabi youth team and also featured for the Israeli national youth sides.At 17 he played his first game in the Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
and was a regular for Maccabi's first team at 18. Whilst at Maccabi Nimni experienced much success becoming one of the most important players in side during this period.
In 1998 he inherited the Maccabi captaincy when the previous longserving captain Nir Klinger
Nir Klinger
Nir Klinger is an Israeli football manager and a former player. He was manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv, before resigning under pressure on 5 December 2005. Klinger achieved with Maccabi the Israeli championship and two Israel state cups....
retired through injury. Klinger went on to become assistant coach at Maccabi.
Going abroad
Between the years of 1996-2001, Maccabi suffered dark times on the field winning only the Toto Cup in 1998. This was due partly to the absence of Nimni who was transferred in 1997 to Atlético Madrid. However, Nimni's time at the club was blighted by injury, and he returned to Maccabi after just seven appearances.A year later Nimni was loaned out to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. Although Nimni set up a goal on his debut and also scored away to Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, in what subsequently proved to be a handful of appearances, Derby decided not to purchase Nimni outright. They instead only signed fellow loanee Georgiou Kinkladze
Georgiou Kinkladze
Georgi Kinkladze , also spelled as Georgiou, Giorgi, or Gio is a Georgian former footballer, who played as a midfielder. A playmaker, he first came to prominence with his performances for Georgia against Wales in 1994 and 1995...
to ensure they had no more than three non-EU first-team players, and Nimni returned to Maccabi.
2000-2001
In 2000, the former Israel national coach, Shlomo Sharf, became Maccabi's coach. Sharf, well known for his temper, commented after the second game of the season in Maccabi's 2–2 draw to Hapoel Haifa saying "did you even see Nimni? I'm sure he didn't play! If it wasn't for the fans I would have substituted him at half-time". The next day Nimni spoke to Channel Five replied saying "there is a normal way of saying things not in a humiliating barbaric way". Sharf wanted to sell Nimni, however the chairman Lonny Herzikowicz declined the request, Sharf then resigned from his post.Nir Klinger
At the beginning of the 2002 season, Nir KlingerNir Klinger
Nir Klinger is an Israeli football manager and a former player. He was manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv, before resigning under pressure on 5 December 2005. Klinger achieved with Maccabi the Israeli championship and two Israel state cups....
was appointed Head Coach of Maccabi. As a former Maccabi player he was well respected by the fans. He was nicknamed "The Soul" for playing in any situation despite being injured on many occasions.
Following Maccabi's 3-0 loss at home to Hapoel Be'er Sheva they went to play title holders Maccabi Haifa
Maccabi Haifa F.C.
Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups...
in the 14th fixture of the season. Astonishingly Klinger shocked the entire nation by naming Nimni on the bench, and replaced him with Baruch Dego
Baruch Dego
Baruch Dego is an Israeli-Ethiopian football player. He currently plays for Ironi Ramat HaSharon.Dego, who grew up in Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C., was transferred to Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. in 2000/01, and won a championship and three national trophies. In 2004/05, he was the only player to score for...
. After an incredible game Maccabi emerged as 3–2 victors. Nimni remained on the bench for the remainder of the season only to watch Dego pick up the player of the season accolade.
After the 28th fixture, Nimni gave an interview to a radio show claiming, "players told me that, if I played we would have had 15 points more". On hearing this Klinger sent him to the stands dropping him from the squad. During the 30th game of the season Dego broke his ankle with the fixture against Beitar Jerusalem looming. At the time Maccabi were in first place. They had exactly the same points as Maccabi Haifa
Maccabi Haifa F.C.
Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups...
and Hapoel Tel Aviv
Hapoel Tel Aviv FC
Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Tel Aviv. The club currently competes in the Israeli Premier League and plays its home matches at the Bloomfield Stadium. To date, the club has won thirteen championships and thirteen State Cups, making them the country's second...
but had a better goal difference of the three teams. Beitar took the lead after 32 minutes and doubled their score just a minute later. Beitar went into the half-time break 2–1 up after an own goal a minute before. Maccabi were watching the Championship slip from their grasp. However Nimni had other ideas and scored two goals leading Maccabi to a 3–2 win.
In the 32nd game, Maccabi played Bnei Yehuda and Nimni scored a hat-trick and Maccabi won 5–0. After the match in an interview a reporter asked Klinger about Nimni, Klinger replied "do you want it in a phrase or a song; Avi Nimni is the king". In the final game of the season Maccabi faced Hapoel Petah Tikva. 40,000 spectators saw Nimni score leading Maccabi to a 3–0 win. Consequently they lifted the Championship. Despite being dropped earlier in the season Nimni finished the season as Maccabi's top goalscorer with 14 goals.
However, not everything was rosy for Nimni. It was reported that he and teammate Tal Banin
Tal Banin
Tal Banin is a former Israeli football player and currently the manager of Hapoel Haifa. Banin played as a defensive midfielder...
(ex-Brescia
Brescia Calcio
Brescia Calcio , known simply as Brescia, is the largest football club in the Lombard city of Brescia, where it was founded in 1911.In the 2009–10 season, in the return leg of the Serie B playoff final, they defeated Torino 2-1 at home , returning to Serie A after a 5-year absence...
) had a bust-up. The team was divided between "Avi Nimni supporters" and "Tal Banin supporters". Nimni, Banin and Klinger all denied the reports that any altercation had occurred.
On 13 August 2003, Klinger called a press conference to be covered by all the media. He issued a statement along the lines that "the dispute between Nimni and Banin is destroing every good part in Maccabi, dividing the team, and causing nothing but anger between the players". He forced both Nimni and Banin out of the club.
The fans were outraged and for two years they came in black shirts as a sign of grief and holding signs saying: "8 is in our blood, Avi Nimni will always be in Maccabi". The fans were not satisfied despite winning the Cup and taking second place in the league resulting in the qualification to the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
for the first time ever.
After being kicked out of Maccabi, Nimni joined Beitar Jerusalem. He played at the Teddy Stadium for two years scoring 20 goals.
After two years of exile Nimni was brought back to Maccabi in 2005 by none other than Nir Klinger, who resigned later that year.
The Retirement
Nimni is considered as Maccabi's talisman and the fan's favourite. He started his comeback season on the right foot, by scoring the winning goal in the opening match of the 2005/06 season.After a bad year when Maccabi only one the State Cup, Nimni moved forward to another year with the yellow side.
the 2006/07 season was a pretty good year to Avi surely better than the previous. Avi scored in that season 10 goals with his actually last year as a player. Nimni said that he want to retire in the end of the season but a lose to the fierce rivals in the local derby Hapoel Tel Aviv made him to consider his retirement and he decided to stay for another year.
Nimni's last year started with a lose the Andorra
Andorra
Andorra , officially the Principality of Andorra , also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, , is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of...
Santa Coloma. on August 25, 2007 Nimni Scored his last goal for the Israeli Premier league on the second fixture versus Maccabi Petah Tikva and the became the third all time scorer.
After that Avi was injured in the Toto Cup that made him to be out for all the year.
On May 17 2008 Avi Nimni played his last match when he entered on the 90 minute to the crowds roar, some of the people even cried. after Nimni retire, Maccabi Tel Aviv decided to retire is shirt too.
Nimni is Maccabi's all time top goalscorer, having scored 174 goals. He has scored 194 goals overall in the league, and he is now the number three of all time top goalscorer in Israeli football.
As a Player
- Israeli Premier League (4):
- 1991–92, 1994–95, 1995–96, 2002–03
- State CupIsrael State CupThe State Cup , is a knockout cup competition in Israeli football, run by the Israeli Football Association.The State Cup was first held in 1927–28 as the Palestine Cup...
(4):- 1993–94, 1995–96, 2000–01, 2001–02
- Toto CupToto CupThe Toto Cup is an association football tournament that exists separately in the two highest divisions in Israel: the Premier League and Liga Leumit....
(2):- 1992–93, 1998–99