Israeli Soccer Star Dia Saba Becomes Cult Hero in Turkey

Israeli midfielder Dia Saba is experiencing a meteoric rise in Turkey, captivating fans and media alike with his performances for newly promoted club Amedspor. Despite the club's initial plans to rebuild its squad, fan pressure led to Saba's retention, and he has quickly become the team's most beloved player.

In the opening matches of the season, Saba has been a standout performer, even overshadowing high-profile signings like Mohamed Salah. He scored a brace, including a goal of the week, in a crucial promotion match and was instrumental in Amedspor's victory over Trabzonspor, a team boasting the most expensive player in Turkish football history. Saba earned the penalty that leveled the score and assisted the winning goal.

The "madness" surrounding Saba has escalated, with his social media following surging by over 30,000 new followers since the league began. Turkish media have hailed his early goals as historic, and comparisons to legendary player Hagi have emerged. Saba has been recognized as the "best passer in the league," and a video of him learning Kurdish, the local language in Diyarbakır, has gone viral.

Saba's unique physique and "magic from his feet" have endeared him to fans, who see him as an "anti-hero." His presence in Diyarbakır, a city with a large Kurdish population, has also helped him distance himself from political associations with the Israeli national team. Attempts to sideline him due to his origins have been met with strong backlash from Amedspor supporters, who have embraced him since day one.

While it remains early to predict the season's outcome for Amedspor, Saba has already cemented his status. His journey from a player with question marks surrounding his return to Turkey to a league standout highlights one of the most fascinating careers of an Israeli footballer abroad.