'This is my new family, I will give my life for this' - Samu Costa on THAT Al Nassr debut
As debuts go, this was pretty pitch perfect.
Samu Costa landed in Riyadh on Wednesday, as the first summer signing of Roshn Saudi League champions Al Nassr. Four days later, he was named in Ange Postecoglou’s squad for the opening of the club’s title defence, at home to Al Fateh.
Introduced not long after the hour to raptuous applause from the Al Nassr supporters and with the hosts 2-0 up, it took all of seven minutes for Costa to endear himself to his new fan base. Latching onto a loose ball in the visitors’ penalty area, the former RCD Mallorca midfielder thrashed home his shot.
Cue wild celebrations. From Costa. From his teammates who raced to smother him. From Joao Felix, Portugal compatriot and now colleague, who leapt from the bench having been withdrawn for Costa on 66 minutes.
From Cristiano Ronaldo, another fellow Portuguese and Al Nassr captain, sitting up in the stands with his family as he enjoyed an elongated rest following professional and personal commitments this summer.
Al Nassr had triumphed 3-0 on Postecoglou’s big night. Costa’s, too.
“It's the perfect debut,” the new signing beamed. “I'm very happy for the team. We work a lot this week and the team are very focused, and we deserve the three points and the clean sheet. So, I'm very happy and the teammates were perfect with me. So adapting was easy.”
Well, easier than perhaps expected.
“No, it's never easy," Costa conceded. "I try to work a lot, try to mentally prepare all days, all the week for the game. It's all about mental focus and being strong mentally. So, I have to keep working.”
Costa has clearly been working on his right foot. Naturally left-footed, the cultured 25-year-old is known for his elegance on the ball, his ability to dictate tempo and thus control matches.
Yet, against Al Fateh, his first Al Nassr goal came from him thrashing a right-footed effort past rival goalkeeper Waleed Al Enezi.
Not exactly on brand.
“Well, my right foot is not very good, but thanks to God I scored the goal and the team won,” Costa joked. “I'm so happy and I want to dedicate this win to my family and also to the players injured - and Cristiano is out, so we wish him to return.”
Certainly, the Al Nassr faithful appear to have another hero to cheer this season.
That much was obvious from the moment Costa began to warm up at Al Awwal Park on Saturday night, to when he was introduced on to the pitch, to his goal and to every touch of the ball that was greeted with huge roars from the fans.
The backing, while maybe not noticeable while he was doing his thing below them on the pitch, has been felt. It’s resonated.
“When I'm in the game, I cannot listen; I'm focused on the game," Costa said. "But since I arrived in Riyadh, I saw the support they gave me and I'm so happy.
“This is my new family, and I will give my life for this.”
