Ofek Melika-Aharon[1] (Hebrew: אופק מליקה-אהרון; born 23 January 2005) is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Israel national under-19 team.

Ofek Melika
Personal information
Full name Ofek Melika-Aharon
Date of birth (2005-01-23) 23 January 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Givatayim, Israel
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Number 22
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Hapoel Ra'anana 12 (0)
2023–2024 Maccabi Petah Tikva 0 (0)
2024– Maccabi Tel Aviv 1 (0)
International career
2021–2022 Israel U17 9 (0)
2022–2024 Israel U19 18 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Israel U-20
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Third place 2023 Argentina Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 June 2023

Early life

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Melika-Aharon was born and raised in Givatayim, Israel, to an Israeli family of Mizrahi Jewish descent.[1] He hails from a family of Israeli football goalkeepers, with his grandfather Shmuel Malika-Aharon and uncle Meir Melika, both playing for the Israel national team. He is also the son of Yaron Melika, who played as a goalkeeper in the Israeli Premier League.[2]

Club career

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Melika made his senior debut for Hapoel Ra'anana on 4 April 2022, playing 90 minutes in a Liga Leumit away match against Hapoel Ramat Gan, that ended in a 2–1 win.[3][4]

On 22 May 2024 signed for 5 years in Maccabi Tel Aviv.[5]

International career

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He is a youth International for Israel, who plays for the under-17 national team since 2021.[6]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 16 May 2023.[7][citation needed]
Club Season League State Cup Toto Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hapoel Ra'anana 2021–22 Liga Leumit 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2022–23 Liga Alef 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
Total 11 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Maccabi Petah Tikva 2023–24 Israeli Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Maccabi Tel Aviv 2024–25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 11 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Israel - O. Melika - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway".
  2. ^ Shamir, Uri (16 May 2022). "זרקור על אופק מליקה" [Spotlight on the Melika horizon]. vole.sport5.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  3. ^ Geffen, Guy (13 May 2022). "מרעננה לליגה הגרמנית? אופק מליקה, שוער נבחרת הנערים, מכוון גבוה" [Refreshing for the German league? Ofek Malika, the goalkeeper of the boys' team, aims high]. tzomet-ran.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Hapoel Ra'anana vs. Hapoel Ramat Gan - 4 April 2022 - Soccerway".
  5. ^ Tuchman, Yaniv (22 May 2024). "אופק מליקה חתם במכבי תל אביב: "להגיע אחרי אבא וסבא זה מרגש"". Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  6. ^ Ofek MelikaIsrael Football Association national team player details
  7. ^ Ofek Melika at Soccerway