Manor Solomons dad wrote him a heartwarming open letter before the final championship match against Plymouth
In the lead-up to Leeds United’s dramatic final Championship match against Plymouth Argyle on May 3, 2025, Manor Solomon, the Israeli winger on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, received an unexpected and deeply moving gift: an open letter from his father, Yossi Solomon. This heartwarming gesture, penned with love and pride, captured the emotions of a father watching his son chase glory on one of football’s biggest stages. The letter not only inspired Manor but also resonated with fans, teammates, and the wider football community, adding an emotional layer to Leeds’ title-winning triumph.
Yossi Solomon, a physical education teacher from Kfar Saba, Israel, has been a constant presence in Manor’s journey from a young boy kicking a ball in the family’s backyard to a star player in England’s fiercely competitive Championship. The letter, published in a local Israeli newspaper and shared widely on social media, reflected on Manor’s resilience, dedication, and the family values that have shaped him. “Manor, my son,” Yossi wrote, “you’ve carried our dreams and your own with such courage. Tonight, as you step onto that pitch, know that every sprint, every goal, is a testament to your heart.”
The letter recounted personal anecdotes, like the time a young Manor, barely 10, insisted on practicing free kicks in the rain until he perfected his curve. Yossi highlighted his son’s journey through adversity, including a challenging year sidelined by injury at Tottenham and his bold decision to join Leeds in the Championship—a move encouraged by his fiancée, Dana, but initially met with hesitation. “You doubted, but you dared,” Yossi wrote. “You chose the harder path, and now you’re on the cusp of something extraordinary.”
Yossi’s words also touched on the family’s pride in Manor’s role as a representative of Israel on the global stage. “In every match, you carry Kfar Saba, our heritage, and the hopes of a nation,” he wrote, acknowledging the pressures of being an Israeli athlete in a turbulent world. Yet, the letter remained deeply personal, emphasizing love over legacy: “Win or lose, you are my champion. Your mother, Ayala, and I see your spirit in every step.”
The letter’s impact was profound. Manor, who later admitted to reading it in the quiet moments before the Plymouth match, found renewed strength. On the pitch, he was electric, providing a crucial assist for Wilfried Gnonto’s equalizer and scoring a stunning stoppage-time winner to secure the Championship title for Leeds with a 2-1 victory. The goal, a deft run and low drive past Plymouth’s Conor Hazard, sparked delirium among the thousands of Leeds fans at Home Park and sealed the club’s return to the Premier League as champions, edging out Burnley on goal difference.
Post-match, Manor dedicated the win to his family, clutching a printed copy of the letter as he celebrated with teammates. “This is for my dad, my mom, Dana—everyone who believed in me,” he told reporters, his voice thick with emotion. Yossi’s letter, a beacon of paternal love, had not only fueled Manor’s heroics but also reminded the football world of the human stories behind the game’s greatest moments.
