By Cameron Andrade
Body of Ghana soccer player Christian Atsu was found underneath the rubble of his apartment, on Feb. 18t after the tragic earthquake that hit the country of Turkey.
After the 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey on Feb. 6, it was reported that Atsu was missing in the aftermath. Amidst all of the chaos, there were reports that Atsu had been found and was located in the hospital. It later came to realization that those reports were false and Atsu was still missing, his body was later found, Atsu was just 31 years old.
Atsu was playing for Turkish side Hatayspor in the Super Lig, he scored his first goal for the club on Feb 5th. One day before the earthquake hit the country.
Clubs and players took to social media to show their condolences and heartfelt messages for the player. Hatasypor tweeted a farewell message that stated the following.
“The funeral of our football player Christian Atsu, who lost his life under the rubble (debris), is on his way to be sent to his hometown, Ghana. We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person. There are no words to describe our sadness. REST in PEACE ATSU.”
One of Atsu’s former teammates joined in the light of paying tribute to his fallen friend. After scoring a free kick in their 4-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam, Ajax player and Ghana international Mohammed Kudus celebrated his goal by removing his jersey. Revealing underneath a shirt that said “RIP Atsu.”
The Ghanaian international played for the likes of FC Porto and Everton, he is most famously known for playing for Newcastle United where he spent five years with the club. In his career Atsu made 207 total appearances for the club, while accumulating 23 goals throughout his career.
In his international career for the Ghana national team, Atsu made 65 appearances while scoring 9 goals for his country. Making his first ever appearance for the senior team back in 2012, he was featured in the Ghana team that appeared in the 2014 World Cup, starting all three games for the team.
Atsu went onto play in the 2015 African Cup of Nations where he played the tournament of his life. Scoring two goals in the quarterfinals against Guinea, and helped Ghana all the way to the finals. Coming up just short, Ghana lost in the finals to Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout. Atsu won both Player of the Tournament and the Goal of the Tournament.
Soccer fans from around the world grieved over the death of Christian Atsu.
“What happened to Atsu is heartbreaking. Over his career Atsu fought hard to break his way into many different clubs, all while becoming a star player for the Ghana national team,” said soccer fan Patrick Lendon.” “Off the field, he was active in charity work. His final goal just one day before the earthquake is a symbol of the hard-work, determination and character he displayed.”
As people mourn the tragic death of Christian Atsu, he leaves a trail for young African players that follow him. Hard work and determination can bring you into the light and make you into a star, just like Atsu.