Rosenthal, Ronny

Rosenthal played for Maccabi Haifa, FC Brugge, Standard Liege, Luton Town, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Watford.

He also had a very successful international career with Israel, and played a big part in several famous Israeli victories, including those over France and Bulgaria. During his career with the Israeli National team, from 1984-1999, he appeared in 55 full international games and scored ten goals. Today, Rosenthal is a successful player agent and mobile phone salesman.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Oct. 11, 1963

Career Highlights:
Born and bred in the Maccabi Haifa system long before they were a big team, Rosenthal saw his first team action at the age of 16, scoring two goals on his debut. That year (1980), Haifa was promoted to the First Division, and the 1983-84 season saw the club win its first championship title.

Although Maccabi Haifa did all they could to try and stop him, Rosenthal packed his bags and headed off to Club Brugge, a top team in Belgium, for $275,000. Ronny spent two years with Brugge, helping the club win two titles, before being transferred to Standard Liege, another Belgian contender. Then, during the 1989-90 season, a bizzare turn of events turned Ronny into an international star.

Liverpool F.C, one of the most successful clubs in England, was in the midst of a title challenge. They had sold star forward John Aldridge, confident in the knowledge that the legendary Peter Beardsley was waiting in the wings. Beardsley was soon injured, however, and Liverpool coach Kenny Dalglish was left without a significant striker. In a puzzling move he opted to sign Rosenthal for one million English pounds.

Liverpool was being chased by Aston Villa and desperately needed points from their match against Charlton. Ronny came on as a sub and soon ran past two defenders and scored his first goal with his right foot. He then scored another with his left foot and finished off with an excellent headed goal. It was the first hat trick by a Liverpool player on his full debut since 1964. In his next match, Rosenthal scored yet another goal. When all was said and done, Rosenthal had scored eight goals in 12 games and Liverpool won the championship.

Rosenthal played in Merseyside for four more years and was the club's top scorer during the 1990-91 season with 18 goals in 25 appearances. After playing in only three games in 1993-94 (all as a substitute), Rosenthal left Liverpool and continued his English career with Tottenham. During his four seasons with the Spurs, he appeared 96 games and scored nine goals. He also registered a notable hatrick against Southampton in the F.A. Cup. In 1998-99, he moved to Watford on a free transfer, where he showed flashes of brilliance and helped Watford earn promotion. He retired in 2000.

Origin:
Haifa, Israel

Position:
Left winger or Forward

Career Statistics:
61 Israeli caps

38 goals in 138 Israeli league appearances.

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