Sun Menahem

Menahem began his senior club career with Hapoel Nir Ramat HaSharon, making his first appearance as a substitute in May 2013.[3] He established himself as a regular member of the senior squad the following season before moving on to a larger stage.[3]

Menahem signed for Maccabi Haifa in June 2015, joining from Hapoel Nir Ramat HaSharon.[3] He would go on to spend eight seasons with the club, during which he made 237 appearances and scored 11 goals across all competitions.[1] In the 2017/18 season he was loaned to Ironi Kiryat Shmona, but otherwise remained a fixture at Maccabi Haifa.[3]

During his time at the club, Menahem won three Israeli league championships, the State Cup, the Toto Cup, and the Aluf HaAlufim.[1] He rose to become one of the club's captains and represented Maccabi Haifa in the UEFA Champions League, where he faced opponents including Lionel Messi and Neymar.[1]

Menahem received his first call-up to the Israel national team in 2019 under coach Andy Herzog. He made approximately 20 appearances for Israel, although contemporary reports differ by one cap.[3][1]

In January 2023, during a match against Maccabi Bnei Reineh, Menahem suffered a severe head injury when he collided head-to-head with an opposing player while challenging for a high ball in the 61st minute.[2] He lost consciousness and experienced an epileptic seizure; subsequent MRI scans revealed bleeding in his brain.[2] It was reported that this was the third time Menahem had lost consciousness in less than two years.[2]

Menahem did not return to competitive football after the incident. He underwent extensive medical examinations and consultations with specialists, initially expecting to recover and play again. However, he ultimately received confirmation that continuing to play football would be life-threatening.[1] As he described it: "I recently received the final stamp that I will no longer be able to play football, that it is life-threatening for me."[2]

In May 2024, Menahem announced his retirement at the age of 30.[1] At his retirement press conference, he declared he was stepping away from playing, "but not from Maccabi."[4] Maccabi Haifa professional manager Gal Alberman described Menahem as one of the team's leaders and noted that he had remained a beloved, connecting presence with the squad in the period following his injury.[4]

Sources disagree on the precise number of appearances Menahem made for the Israel national team. Walla Sports reported the total as 19 caps,[3] while Ynet put the figure at 20.[1] The discrepancy likely reflects a difference in record-keeping or the inclusion of a particular match, and does not affect the overall picture of his international career.