Gadi Kinda, a former midfielder for Sporting Kansas City, has tragically passed away at the young age of 31, as announced by Maccabi Haifa on Tuesday. Kinda was reportedly battling serious health issues and had been hospitalized in the weeks leading up to his death. His last appearance on the field for Maccabi Haifa occurred on March 29.
In a heartfelt statement, Maccabi Haifa expressed their condolences, saying, “The Maccabi Haifa family hugs the Kinda family and prays that they will not know any more sorrow.” This sentiment reflects the deep connections formed within the sporting community, especially during tough times.
Sporting Kansas City showed their solidarity with Kinda earlier this month, donning his jersey before a match against the Portland Timbers and encouraging fans to support him during his health struggles.
Kinda had a notable career during his four seasons with Sporting KC from 2020 to 2023, where he made a significant impact by scoring 14 goals and providing 16 assists in 64 regular-season matches, despite a setback due to an injury that kept him out for the entire 2022 MLS season.
Born in Ethiopia and moving to Israel at a young age, Kinda represented Israel on the international stage, earning 10 caps. In addition to Maccabi Haifa, he also played for teams such as Ashdod and Beitar Jerusalem throughout his career.
Just last week, Kinda shared a message from his hospital room, urging those who cared for him to “keep praying.” His courage and resilience during such a challenging time resonated deeply with fans and fellow athletes alike.
This loss is felt not only by his immediate community and family but by the broader soccer world that mourns the passing of a talented player who had much more to give.