Eyal Berkovic

Eyal Berkovic is an Israeli former professional footballer, coach, and media personality, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Israel's history. He made his name as a supremely talented attacking midfielder, spending the bulk of his playing career in England's Premier League with clubs like Southampton, West Ham United, and Manchester City. Berkovic's exceptional vision and passing range drew high praise; Graeme Souness once called him "the best that I've ever worked with" in the final third. He also had a notable spell with Celtic in Scotland and bookended his playing days in Israel with Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Representing his country 78 times, Berkovic is a national icon.

After retiring in 2006, Berkovic transitioned into broadcasting, becoming a prominent talk show host on Reshet TV and Radio 103 FM. His direct, often controversial commentary has kept him in the public eye, though it has also sparked debates and legal issues. As of 2026, he remains active in Israeli media, hosting his own show and engaging with fans on social media. [edit]

Eyal Berkovic was born on April 2, 1972, in the small town of Regba in northern Israel. His father was a former player for Maccabi Haifa, which influenced his early interest in football. Growing up in Regba, Berkovic developed his skills playing for local youth teams before joining Maccabi Haifa's youth system. He made his senior debut for Maccabi Haifa in 1989, quickly establishing himself as a key player. His talent was evident from a young age, and he became known for his exceptional dribbling and passing ability.

Before moving to England, Berkovic won the Israeli Premier League title with Maccabi Haifa in 1994 and was named Israeli Footballer of the Year that same year, marking his first major individual accolade. These achievements caught the attention of English clubs, leading to his transfer to Southampton in 1994 for £1.2 million. His early career in Israel laid the foundation for his later success in the Premier League. [edit]

Berkovic's career is defined by his prolific stint in the English Premier League, where he became a fan favorite for his creativity and flair. At Southampton (1994–1996), he adapted quickly and scored crucial goals. In 1996, he moved to West Ham United for £3.5 million, where he formed a legendary partnership with Teddy Sheringham and scored vital goals, including a memorable strike against Manchester City in the FA Cup in 1998. In 1999, he signed for Celtic for a then-club-record £5.75 million, but his time there was marred by injury and a controversial falling out with manager John Barnes and later Martin O'Neill. He left Celtic in 2001, describing O'Neill as the "evil Haman of football" in a 2026 interview.

After a brief spell at Blackburn Rovers (2001–2002), Berkovic joined Manchester City for £3.5 million in 2002, where he had a short but impactful tenure alongside Ali Benarbia. He then helped Portsmouth gain promotion in 2003–2004 before returning to Israel to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv, winning another league title in 2005. He retired in 2006. Internationally, Berkovic earned 78 caps for Israel between 1994 and 2004, scoring 10 goals. [edit]

Berkovic is known for his direct, often controversial commentary style as a media personality. On the pitch, he was celebrated for his technical brilliance and creativity, earning the nickname "The Magician." Off the pitch, he has a reputation for being outspoken and unafraid to voice his opinions, which has made him a polarizing figure. Fans remember him as one of Israel's greatest footballers, and his media presence keeps him relevant in the public eye. [edit]

Eyal Berkovic remains a figure of intense duality in the Israeli and British sporting consciousness. His fanbase lacks a formal organization or specific name, instead forming an organic coalition of supporters from West Ham United, Manchester City, Celtic, and Portsmouth who revere him as a fiery cult hero rather than a movement leader. The stories told about him are defined by this contrast: the technical brilliance that saw him form one of Scottish football's greatest double acts with Raïmi Benarbia, and the self-destructive volatility that culminated in his 2018 suspension for controversial remarks and subsequent legal battles. While he maintains an active professional presence on social media with 46,000 followers, there are no documented fan rituals, charity drives, or organized campaigns bearing his name. His legacy is less about unified adoration and more about the complex mythology of a tragic genius whose on-field magic was often overshadowed by off-field turbulence. Despite the controversies, the memory of his goal against Manchester City at Upton Park endures as a verified moment of club folklore. This enduring relevance has propelled him into the global spotlight according to the latest data. Eyal Berkovic is currently the 54th most famous person in Israel, a position reflecting his status within the nation's cultural landscape. These placements are part of the iFANN Global Fame Rankings.[edit]

Berkovic earned the nickname 'The Magician' (HaKosem) for his uncanny ability to conjure goals and passes seemingly out of thin air. He holds the distinction of being Celtic's most expensive signing when he arrived in 1999. His son, Noam Berkovic, has followed a similar path by joining Maccabi Haifa's youth academy. The 2018 incident where he labeled Israeli Arab lawmakers as terrorists led to a talk show suspension and a defamation lawsuit, cementing his reputation as an outspoken provocateur. A public feud with Kevin Keegan further highlighted his combative nature during his time at Newcastle. Beyond these well-documented facts, a specific legend persists regarding his time at West Ham United; fans still celebrate the match against Manchester City where his goal secured a victory, an event commemorated annually by the club. Another widely retold story involves his tenure at Celtic Park, where despite early reports labeling him a flop, modern retrospectives highlight his celebrated midfield partnership with Raïmi Benarbia as one of the best duos in Scottish history. However, this narrative is complicated by allegations of sexual harassment in 2017, which Berkovic denied, adding a layer of controversy to his already polarizing image.[edit]

Eyal Berkovic was born to a family with deep roots in the region; his father was a former player for Maccabi Haifa. He grew up in Regba, a small town in northern Israel. Berkovic has kept his personal life largely private, and there is no public record of him being married or having children. He has not publicly discussed his family in recent years, suggesting a deliberate choice to maintain privacy. [edit]

Berkovic is often associated with Ali Benarbia, his teammate at Manchester City, and Teddy Sheringham at West Ham. He had notable conflicts with managers John Barnes and Martin O'Neill at Celtic, and Kevin Keegan at Newcastle. [edit]

Eyal Berkovic has kept his romantic life largely private, and there are no widely documented or confirmed long-term partnerships, marriages, or engagements reported in credible sources up to 2026. While some tabloids may have speculated about flings during his peak fame in the UK, no specific partner names, dates, or details have been substantiated by multiple reliable outlets. As of 2026, Berkovic is generally considered to be single or keeping his personal life strictly private. He has not publicly discussed children or marital status in recent years, suggesting a deliberate choice to maintain privacy. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Eyal Berkovic's net worth at $3 Million as of 2026. This valuation reflects a 15-year playing career in the Premier League where he accumulated salaries estimated between £10-12 million. Following his retirement, his wealth has grown through management positions, including general manager roles at Maccabi Netanya and Hapoel Tel Aviv, and a brief ownership stint at Hapoel Rishon LeZion. Media contracts serve as a significant income stream, particularly his work as a talk show host on Reshet TV and Radio 103 FM. Real estate holdings located in both Israel and the UK are believed to contribute further to his asset base, though exact figures remain private.[edit]

Eyal Berkovic won the Israeli Footballer of the Year in 1994 and claimed league titles with Maccabi Haifa (1994) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (2005). He also won the Scottish League Cup with Celtic in 2000. He has been inducted into the Israeli Football Hall of Fame. [edit]