One of the most veteran and recognizable broadcasters and soccer commentators in the country, Meller was regarded as one of Israel’s leading experts on world soccer. A heavy sense of mourning swept through Israeli sports media on Tuesday with the passing of Avi Meller at the age of 72, following a prolonged battle with skin cancer.
One of the most veteran and recognizable broadcasters and soccer commentators in the country, Meller was regarded as one of Israel’s leading experts on world soccer.
A heavy sense of mourning swept through Israeli sports media on Tuesday with the passing of Avi Meller at the age of 72, following a prolonged battle with skin cancer.
One of the most veteran and recognizable broadcasters and soccer commentators in the country, Meller was regarded as one of Israel’s leading experts on world soccer and was especially known for his deep affection for and encyclopedic knowledge of the English game.
Born on August 7, 1953, in the Neve Sha’anan neighbourhood of Haifa, Meller built a decades-long career across nearly every medium in Israeli sports journalism.
He worked as a journalist, broadcaster, and soccer commentator, wrote columns for major publications including Maariv, Yedioth Ahronoth, and Globes, hosted radio programs, and lectured at universities and colleges in communications and journalism courses.
In addition to his broadcasting work, he was a sought-after lecturer and also participated in the first season of the television series Golstar. During his life, Meller lived in England, where he experienced firsthand the soccer culture that became central to both his professional identity and personal passion.
Avi Meller: A life dedicated to Israeli soccer
Meller joined Sport5 at its founding in 1992 and remained with it until his final days, broadcasting matches every week and serving as a key presence in studio shows, including Champions League coverage.
Over the years, he became closely identified with English Premier League broadcasts and European football, which he continued to commentate and host until recently. His voice, delivery, and distinctive style, marked by enthusiasm, sharp analysis, and vast knowledge, made him a fixture in Israeli living rooms for generations of soccer fans.
Alongside the late Mudi Bar-On, Meller hosted several iconic programs on the channel, including Olam HaKaduregel and Shishi Chai Ve’Bo’et, and became one of the defining figures of Sport5 and of the new language and tone he helped introduce to Israeli sports broadcasting.
Despite his illness, which he publicly revealed in a 2022 interview, Meller continued to work and appear on air almost until the very end.
Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sport, Miki Zohar, paid tribute to Meller, saying: “I received with great sorrow the news of the passing of Avi Meller, one of the most identified and beloved voices in Israeli sports. Avi accompanied generations of fans through his broadcasts, with sharp commentary, immense knowledge, and a true love for the game.
Personally, I especially enjoyed listening to him broadcast the English league, in his unique voice, with enthusiasm and exceptional expertise. His voice and style turned him into a mythological figure in the landscape of Israeli media.
His contribution to Israeli sport will remain etched in the public memory. May his memory be blessed.”
Meller’s death marks a profound loss for Israeli sports media.
For decades, he appeared on screens and airwaves, broadcasting soccer matches and sitting in studio panels until his final days, leaving behind a legacy of passion, professionalism, and an enduring love for the game.
Category: General Sports
