Samu Costa makes Al-Nassr debut as fans mark his shirt number with special chant

Al-Nassr supporters welcomed new signing Samu Costa in distinctive fashion during the club’s opening match of the new season, chanting the Portuguese midfielder’s name together in the 11th minute.

Al-Nassr hosted Al-Fateh at Al-Awwal Park on Saturday in the opening round of the Saudi Roshn Saudi League. Although Costa did not start the match, fans made sure the 24-year-old was recognised early in his first competitive appearance as a member of the squad.

Saudi journalist Ali Al-Anazi shared a video on his account on X showing Al-Nassr’s supporters joining in a unified chant of “Costa” from the stands.

The timing of the tribute was deliberate. Al-Anazi explained that Costa will wear the number 11 shirt for Al-Nassr, prompting supporters to choose that minute of the match to honour their new player.

Costa began the game among the substitutes rather than in the starting line-up. Al-Nassr head coach Ange Postecoglou instead selected Abdullah Al-Khaibari and Brazilian midfielder Angelo in the centre of the pitch.

The Portugal Under-? No, source doesn’t say, don’t add. Costa joined Al-Nassr during the current summer transfer window from Spanish club Mallorca. He is the only signing completed by the club so far during this transfer period.

The move represents Costa’s first involvement with Al-Nassr after his arrival from Mallorca, while the club’s supporters used the opening fixture to underline their enthusiasm for the new addition. The chant provided a visible show of support even though the midfielder was initially left out of Postecoglou’s starting XI.

Al-Nassr’s meeting with Al-Fateh was the first match of the club’s campaign, giving the Saudi side’s fans their first opportunity to welcome Costa inside Al-Awwal Park. Their decision to link the tribute to his squad number turned a routine moment in the match into a focused reception for the team’s latest recruit.

Costa’s arrival has so far been the sole piece of transfer business completed by Al-Nassr in the current summer window. The Portuguese player will now wait for his opportunity to make his contribution on the pitch after receiving an immediate endorsement from the club’s supporters.