After multiple attempts of application for Israeli citizenship, and after he was given only a temporary resident status, Boccoli was given a permanent resident status and an Israeli ID card on 7 July 2013. He finally became a legitimate Naturalized citizen of Israel on 7 December 2013.[2]
He resided in Haifa, Israel, with his wife Jozi and son Gaby.[3]
Club career
Boccoli joined Israel's Maccabi Haifa after his former team, Maccabi Ahi Nazareth, dropped to the second division in the 2003–04 season. He won the 2004–05 championship with Haifa. He could play in central midfield and as a winger and can also occupy the "Number 10 position" behind the striker.[4] During 2008, he drew more fouls than any other player in Israeli Premier League.[4] Boccoli was voted "footballer of the year" by the Israeli Premier League players in 2006,[5] after scoring 12 goals, assisting 9 goals and helping Maccabi Haifa to win its third championship in a row and a Toto Cup.
On 24 June 2015, Boccoli retired from playing. He will mostly be known for his 11 years with Maccabi Haifa, there he made 434 caps and scored 39 goals.[6]
Style of play
Boccoli played most of his career as a right winger. He is a box-to-box player, running along the right wing non-stop, has great dribbling ability and good technique, and really keeps good physical fitness. Boccoli can shoot from distance, and he scored many goals from outside the box. He also excels in extracting offenses, as his defenders find it difficult to guard him.[citation needed]
In later seasons Boccoli started playing as a defensive midfielder and as a central midfielder. In this role he outstanding fighting spirit and motivation, expressed extracting a ball and press on the opposing team midfielders.
Later career
Boccoli also speaks Hebrew, and hosted a weekly cooking show on Benny Bashan's radio show called Benny in the Radio on Israeli radio station Galei Tzahal.
