The World is currently heartbroken and plunged into anguish and inconsolable mourning following the news that Ghanaian international footballer, Christian Atsu has been found dead after about two weeks that he had gone missing in the aftermath of the deadly earth quake in Turkey which happened on the 6th of February 2023.
But recent revelation has shown how the deceased footballer could have averted this ugly incident, but changed his mind afterwards. According to Goal, Atsu had initial plans of leaving the country (Turkey) few hours before the earth quake happened and he was caught in between the deadly earth quake. The story stated that Christian Atsu who had concluded plans to leave but that on February 5, 2023, he scored a spectacular goal in his team’s 1-0 win against fellow Turkish top-flight team, Kasimpasa in the 97th minute via a free kick, but changed his mind after that game, as revealed by Hatayspor Administrative Manager, Fatih Ilek.
According to Goal, Fatih also stated that, “Christian Atsu told the coach (Volkan Demirel) that he wanted to take more time before our match with Gaziantep FK. ‘Can I leave if I find a team?’ he said. Volkan Demirel also accepted this request.
Fatih went further to reveal that, “He (Christian Atsu) didn’t play against Gaziantep FK, but scored a last-minute goal in the Kasımpasa match. Actually, he was going abroad to visit his family. But when he played well and scored, he cancelled his ticket.”
“The earthquake happened on his happiest day. He had a flight at 11 pm. Cancelled the ticket. There was an earthquake at 4 am. Absolutely a tragedy,” he added in his heartbreaking revelation in the aftermath of Atus’s death.
CHRISTIAN ATSU’S DEATH
The footballer was found dead under the ruble of his home in the city of Antakya, Hatay. This came after prior reports few hours after the earth quake that the former Chelsea, Everton, Newcastle United and Porto player had been found alive in the aftermath of the earth quake, which though turned out to be false hours later.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the unfortunate incident, with both Hatayspor, Chelsea, Everton, Newcastle United, his agent Nana Sechere, and others releasing statements with regards to the 31 year old Christian Atsu’s heartbreaking death, following the earth quake that happened almost simultaneously in both Turkey and Syria, which has since claimed over forty thousand (40,000) lives so far, according to various reports.
In the statement released by his current club, Hatayspor, stated that the club lacks the appropriate words to express how sad and devastated they feel about his death. “There are no words to describe our sadness. We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person,” Hatayspor wrote via the club’s official Twitter account.
Many have described the deceased as a jolly good fellow, who is easy going, friendly and a very talented player that will be greatly missed by the whole world.
(Photo credit: Vanguard, BBC Football)
May his soul rest in peace