Belgrade, Serbia –In a display that blended fervent football passion with deep religious devotion, the ultras of FK Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) created a massive mosaic tribute during their UEFA Europa League knockout play-off second leg against LOSC Lille on Thursday, February 26.
The Delije Sever group, occupying the North Stand of the iconic Rajko Mitić Stadium (commonly known as the Marakana), unveiled an enormous tifo featuring a traditional Serbian Orthodox-style icon. Reports and footage describe the central figure as Jesus Christ, though some sources suggest it honored Saint Simeon the Myrrh-flowing (Stefan Nemanja, the 12th-century founder of the Serbian state who later became a monk), whose feast day coincided closely with the match date.
The accompanying banner, in Serbian, read: “Neka naša vera vodi do pobede” – translated as “May our faith lead us to victory” (or variations such as “May God lead you to victory” or “May our faith guide you to victory”).
The choreography unfolded dramatically as the teams entered the pitch to the Europa League anthem, with the icon rising amid colored sheets and the electric atmosphere of over 46,000 fans. Such religious motifs are a recurring feature among the Delije ultras, who often emphasize Orthodox Christianity, Serbian national identity, and the concept of “Orthodox Brotherhood” in European competitions.
Despite the visually stunning support, Red Star Belgrade could not advance. They lost 0-2 on the night (after extra time) to Lille, who progressed 2-1 on aggregate (following a 1-0 first-leg win for Crvena Zvezda in France). Goals came from Olivier Giroud (early in the match) and Nathan Ngoy (in extra time).
Videos and images of the tifo quickly circulated on social media and news outlets, drawing praise for the unique fusion of faith, heritage, and sporting culture in the Balkans. For Greek audiences, the scene resonates strongly with shared Orthodox traditions across Serbia and Greece, where stadium displays of religious icons and national pride remain powerful expressions of identity.
In an era of increasingly commercialized football, moments like this highlight how deeply rooted cultural and spiritual elements continue to define the supporter experience at clubs like Red Star Belgrade.
🇷🇸 ✝️ 🙏
Faith, fire, and the fight for victory – even in defeat. 🔥
(Sources: Fan footage, ultras media channels, match reports from UEFA Europa League coverage, February 26-27, 2026)