Beirut Football Academy is proud to announce that one of our own, Céline Haidar, has been featured in the March 2026 issue of France Football — one of the most prestigious football magazines in the world and the publication behind the legendary Ballon d'Or award.
A Story of Courage and Resilience
In a powerful two-page feature titled "La Tête Dure" (The Stubborn One), France Football magazine (Issue N°3964, March 2026) tells the extraordinary story of Céline Haidar — a 19-year-old BFA women's football player whose life changed forever on November 16, 2024, when she was caught in a bombardment in Beirut.
Céline sustained a severe traumatic brain injury that left her in a coma for nearly three months. Doctors warned her family that recovery could take years of intensive physiotherapy. But true to the spirit that made her one of Lebanon's most promising female footballers, Céline refused to accept those odds. Just three months after waking, she was walking again — defying all medical expectations.
BFA's Rising Star
Before her injury, Céline was already making headlines on the pitch. Her coach at Beirut Football Academy, Samer Barbary — BFA's Women's Technical Director and Head Coach — described her as the best midfielder in Lebanon's Women's First Division. Despite being the youngest member of the senior squad, she wore the captain's armband and was the heartbeat of the team.
Coach Barbary praised her as the link between attack and defence, earning her the nickname "Lebanon's Sergio Busquets." She had already been called up to the Lebanese national team — a testament to the elite-level development pathway that BFA provides for its women's programme.
A New Chapter: From Player to Coach
Today, Céline is well on her road to recovery. She runs, she jokes with her teammates, and she has set her sights on a new goal: becoming a football coach. Her determination mirrors the values that BFA instils in every one of its athletes — discipline, passion, resilience, and the belief that no obstacle is too great to overcome.
Why This Feature Matters for BFA
Being featured in France Football — the magazine that awards the Ballon d'Or — is a historic moment not just for Céline, but for Lebanese football as a whole. It shines an international spotlight on:
- BFA's Women's Football Programme — producing players of national and international calibre
- The quality of coaching at BFA — with leaders like Samer Barbary developing world-class talent
- Lebanon's football potential — demonstrating that our country can produce stories and athletes that resonate on the global stage
Our BFA Family Stands With Céline
At Beirut Football Academy, we are more than a football club — we are a family. Céline's journey is a source of immense pride for every player, coach, parent, and supporter in the BFA community. Her story reminds us why we do what we do: to build champions on and off the pitch.
We stand with Céline as she writes her next chapter, and we look forward to welcoming her back — this time, on the coaching side of the beautiful game.
The full article by Nemir Chelhot, with photos by Sami Boudra, can be found in France Football N°3964 — March 2026.
