Israeli footballer Alexey Talpa chose the Ukrainian national team: goal for the national team, service in the IDF, and problems at Maccabi Netanya

On October 5, 2026, 19-year-old footballer of the Israeli club Maccabi Netanya, Aleksei Talpa (אלכסיי טלפה), scored a goal in his first match for the Ukraine U-21 youth team against Albania. A year before that, he played for Israel U-19. Now the midfielder represents the country of his birth, continues to play in the Israeli championship, and serves in the Israeli army. On October 29, 2026, he spoke about his decision, his Ukrainian family, and the challenges in his club career.

Author: Pavel Shveiko

In an interview with 'Ukrainian Football', Talpa called Ukraine his homeland. He was born on June 27, 2007, in Kirovohrad — now Kropyvnytskyi, a city in central Ukraine, renamed in 2016. His family moved him to Israel when he was very young. He hardly remembers the move itself, but he does remember summer trips to relatives. They still keep in touch, follow his career, and watched his debut for Ukraine.
Why did Aleksei Talpa switch from the Israel team to Ukraine

In the official database of the Israel Football Association, Talpa is recorded as having played three matches for Israel U-19 and scored one goal. His debut took place on September 4, 2025, against Estonia, and his last…

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