Born in Kunin, in the south of Lebanon, Atwi grew up in the Zuqaq al-Blat quarter of Beirut;[2] he began playing football in the streets aged six.

[8] On 2 September 2021, Atwi moved to Akhaa Ahli Aley on a free transfer; aged 42, he became the oldest Lebanese player to sign for another club.

[9] According to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), Atwi was the fourth-oldest player (and oldest outfield player) to play a match in the top tier of a national championship in 2022, aged 42 years, 247 days in his last Lebanese Premier League game in 2022 against Sporting on 17 May.

[11] In 2002, Atwi played for the Lebanon Olympic team at the 2002 Asian Games, scoring a goal in an 11–0 win against Afghanistan.

[12] Atwi made his senior debut for Lebanon in a match against Jordan in 2002, and took part in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.