Biography of Shraga Bar

Shraga Bar (born 24 March 1948 in Hofgeismar; died 27 October 2025 in Ramat Gan) was an Israeli footballer. He played as a defender, mainly for Maccabi Netanya, and was part of the Israel national team that appeared at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Childhood and club football

Bar was born in Germany and came to Israel as a child. Maccabi Netanya became his sporting home. He came through the club's youth ranks and moved into the first team in the mid-1960s. For Netanya he played in defence for many years and belonged to a side that won national titles during the 1970s.

National team

Between 1968 and 1972 Bar was selected for Israel; 34 international appearances and one goal are recorded. He took part in the Olympic football tournament in Mexico in 1968 and was in the World Cup squad two years later.

Mexico 1970

The 1970 World Cup remains a distinct chapter in Israeli football history. Israel played Uruguay, Sweden and Italy in the group stage. Bar appeared in all three matches; he started against Sweden and Italy. The 1-1 draw with Sweden and the 0-0 draw with Italy remain closely connected with that team.

Later years

After his long spell at Maccabi Netanya, Bar also played for Hapoel Ramat Gan. His public profile remained tied above all to Netanya and the national team: a defender from a generation in which Israeli football reached an international tournament stage.

Farewell

Shraga Bar died in Ramat Gan on 27 October 2025. He was 77 years old. Israeli obituaries connected his career particularly with Maccabi Netanya and the 1970 World Cup team.