Al-Nassr supporters gave new signing Samu Costa a distinctive welcome during the club’s opening match of the new season, joining together to chant the Portuguese midfielder’s name in the 11th minute against Al-Fateh.
The Saudi Pro League fixture was played on Saturday at Al-Awwal Park, where Al-Nassr hosted Al-Fateh in the first round of the Roshn Saudi League campaign.
Footage shared by Saudi journalist Ali Al-Anazi on his personal account on X showed the home crowd delivering the coordinated tribute. Supporters repeatedly chanted “Costa” as the match reached the 11th minute.
The timing was directly linked to the shirt number Costa will wear at Al-Nassr. The Portugal international has been allocated the number 11 shirt, prompting the club’s fans to choose that minute for their welcome.
Costa was not included in Ange Postecoglou’s starting line-up for the match and began the game among the substitutes. The Al-Nassr manager instead selected Abdullah Al-Khaibari and Brazilian midfielder Angelo in the centre of the pitch.
The 24-year-old joined Al-Nassr during the current summer transfer window from Spanish club Real Mallorca. He is the only signing the club has completed so far in this transfer period.
The reception offered by the supporters came during Costa’s first appearance-day experience as an Al-Nassr player, although he was still waiting for his opportunity to make his debut on the pitch. The chant provided a public show of support for the new arrival before he had taken part in the match.
Costa’s move from Real Mallorca makes him the club’s sole addition of the current summer window, while his number 11 shirt has already given supporters a clear connection with the Portugal international.
Al-Nassr’s opening fixture therefore featured both the beginning of a new league campaign and the first public welcome for one of the squad’s new arrivals. The crowd’s decision to wait until the 11th minute made the tribute especially recognisable, with the chant reflecting the shirt number Costa is expected to wear for the club.
