Lior Refaelov
An Israeli footballing maestro whose creative vision and technical grace made him a beloved playmaker for club and country for nearly two decades.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Israeli footballer·Birthday: April 26·Millennials
Biography
Lior Refaelov's career was a masterclass in elegant, attacking midfield play. Emerging from Maccabi Haifa's youth system, his left foot possessed a rare blend of precision and imagination, capable of delivering defense-splitting passes and scoring from distance. His prime years were spent in Belgium, first with Club Brugge and then Royal Antwerp, where he became a cult hero, orchestrating play and delivering in big moments, including Belgian Cup finals. For the Israeli national team, he was a central creative force for over a decade. Refaelov's game was not defined by physicality but by intelligence, spatial awareness, and a pure, technical artistry that delighted fans.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Lior was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lior Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Lior's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Belgian Pro League title and the Belgian Super Cup with Club Brugge in the 2015-16 season.
- Scored the winning goal for Royal Antwerp in the 2020 Belgian Cup final, securing their first major trophy in over two decades.
- Earned over 35 caps for the Israel national football team, serving as a key attacking midfielder.
Did You Know?
He is known for his exceptional free-kick and penalty-taking ability.
His younger brother, Eliran Refaelov, is also a professional footballer.
He played for three different clubs in Belgium: Standard Liège, Club Brugge, and Royal Antwerp.
“A good pass is like a conversation; it needs the right timing and weight.”
