- 09:00
A blink of the eyes. That’s all it took for hope to be reborn. On January 6, Celine Haidar, the young Lebanese footballer who was seriously injured in an Israeli strike, emerged from a coma after weeks of anxiety. This gesture, so simple in appearance, shook her family and loved ones, signaling the start of a titanic battle to regain a normal life.
Three months after narrowly escaping death, Celine embarks on a long and difficult journey towards rehabilitation. Victim of a strike on November 16 in Chiyah, a suburb of southern Beirut, the future captain of Beirut Football Academy (BFA) was plunged into a deep coma, leaving the sports community and her loved ones in anguish. This tragedy, relayed by all local and international media, stirred strong emotions. Today, against all odds, she clings to life with a determination that commands admiration.
A tragedy That Shook Lebanon
Celine’s fate changed in an instant. As she was trying to flee her home after an evacuation order, she was struck in the head by shrapnel. Rushed to Saint George's Hospital, she underwent several delicate surgeries, including the removal of part of her skull to limit brain hemorrhages. For many weeks, her condition was described as “critical but stable,” leaving a chilling uncertainty about her chances of recovery.
The regular beeping of medical machines marked the endless wait. Her family, exhausted but determined, kept vigil at her bedside, hoping for a sign, a movement, a glimmer of life.
The Awakening and First Signs of Hope
On January 6, Celine woke from the coma. Her eyelids moved, responding with a double blink to the words of her loved ones. This almost imperceptible gesture sent a first message of life after weeks of uncertainty. Initially in a semi-conscious state due to sedatives, she gradually emerged as the doses were reduced.
Little by little, her gaze became more present. Her hand began to gently squeeze her mother's, and she found a way to express her emotions. “When she recognized her father and me, she cried,” her mother recalls. Though unable to speak due to her prolonged intubation, Celine quickly found alternative ways to communicate. A finger movement, a reaction to familiar voices. Then, writing in a notebook allowed her to express her first thoughts.
Every progress, however small, is a victory over adversity. “She wants to become a coach,” says her mother. “She was already studying for that before her accident, and today, she wants to continue her dream, one way or another.”
A Long Fight Toward Rehabilitation
Waking up from the coma was just the first step. The road to recovery is long and filled with obstacles. Celine must undergo intensive rehabilitation to relearn how to speak, walk and regain some of her motor skills. She suffers from significant weakness on the left side of her body, particularly in her hand and foot.
But rehabilitation comes at a cost, and the family faces a colossal challenge: securing the necessary care in a disastrous economic context. While the Lebanese Ministry of Health has covered her hospitalization expenses, the costs of rehabilitation and medical equipment are entirely borne by her family. “We need help. We can't do it alone,” her father confides, his face marked by exhaustion and worry.
A Warrior on and off the Field
Her coach at BFA, Samer Barbary, is closely monitoring every step of her recovery. “Celine is getting better, day by day. Every morning, she surprises us with a small improvement,” he tells This is Beirut. “She’s still very weak, and of course, she can't speak because of her prolonged intubation. But she remembers everything, except the moment of the impact. Maybe that’s for the best.”
The coach emphasizes her warrior spirit, “She has always been a fighter on the field, and today, she's proving to us that she is one in life as well. Her determination is truly inspiring. We know she will have to undergo several surgeries and then enter a rehabilitation center, but she is incredibly strong. I have always believed in her, and I will continue to do so.”
An Icon of Resilience
Celine Haidar is now more than just an athlete. She has become a symbol of courage and resilience in a country marked by suffering and uncertainty. Her story has shaken the Lebanese public, sparking an unprecedented wave of solidarity. Fundraising efforts have been launched to finance her treatment, and many personalities from the sports world have expressed their support.
“Celine reminds us that football is not just a game. It is a school of life, where we learn to rise after every fall,” says a former Lebanese international player.
Despite doubts and difficulties, one thing is certain: Celine Haidar will not give up, and an entire country hopes that she will win the greatest match of her life.
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