Israeli Soccer Player Dia Saba Inspires Fan to Name Newborn Son After Him
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A Turkish fan named his newborn son "Şervan Dia Saba" after the Israeli player.
- Dia Saba is a key player for Amedspor, helping them reach the first division.
- He has scored three league goals in six appearances this season.
- Saba's signing initially faced criticism due to his Israeli nationality.
- He has become one of the club's most beloved and identifiable players.
An Israeli soccer player, Dia Saba, is experiencing unprecedented levels of adoration from fans of his Turkish club, Amedspor. Recently, a newborn baby in the town of Ergani, Diyarbakır Province, was given the name "Şervan Dia Saba" on his identification bracelet, reflecting the deep connection between Saba and the club's supporters.
Saba has become a beloved figure at Amedspor, playing a crucial role in their historic promotion to the first division and scoring their inaugural goal in the top league. Local media frequently highlight him as a star player, noting the significant attention he receives throughout the city. Saba expressed his gratitude, stating, "I feel respected here, and the people here love me. They show me this love every day and everywhere, in the media, on the street, in restaurants, everywhere I go. Now I feel more responsibility to give back to them for this love, for the support they show this club."
His on-field performance has further endeared him to the fans. In a recent 3-2 victory against Beşiktaş, Saba scored the second goal, contributing to a significant win that propelled the team to the top of the league before the international break. He has scored three league goals in six appearances this season.
This is not the first instance of an Amedspor fan naming a child after a player this season. Last month, a family in Diyarbakır named their newborn after striker the player. The local media also recalled a previous case where a child was named Ronaldo. Saba now joins this unique list.
The significance of this fan devotion is amplified by Saba's journey with the club. When he joined Amedspor in the summer of 2025, his signing initially drew criticism from some Turkish media outlets due to his Israeli nationality and status as a player for the Israeli national team. However, he was warmly welcomed by the club and a large segment of the fanbase, eventually becoming one of the team's most identifiable and cherished players.
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