Dia Saba Sparks Controversy Over Jersey Number After Turkish League Debut

Dia Saba, the Israeli footballer, started the new season in Turkey's top league strongly by scoring twice for his team, Amedspor, in a 3-0 victory over Erzurumspor. Despite his impressive performance, Saba's celebration caused a stir within the club. After scoring one of his goals, he made a hand gesture signaling the number 10, which revealed an internal dispute over the jersey number. Following the departure of Cekdar Orhan, the number 10 jersey became a coveted item, and Saba, a key player, formally requested to wear it. However, the club's management had already promised the number to Swiss winger Samuel Balt, who was signed for 1.6 million euros from Antalyaspor. This decision to prioritize Balt led to significant disappointment from Saba. Fans interpreted Saba's gesture as a subtle message to the management, reflecting his passion and frustration. Saba further emphasized his claim by posting the celebration on Instagram, adding the number 10 in his story the following day. The incident highlights tensions within Amedspor as they navigate player roles and expectations early in the season.