Earthquake in Turkey: after his disappearance, the world of football pays tribute to Ghanaian Christian Atsu
The tribute paid to Christian Atsu at Goodison Park before the Everton - Leeds match, in Liverpool on February 18, 2023. © AFP / LINDSEY PARNABY
Text by: Valentin Berg Follow
2 mins
Christian Atsu, Ghanaian international and former FC Porto, Chelsea and Newcastle player, is one of the victims of the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria in early February.
Many clubs, personalities and former teammates paid tribute to him after learning the news of his disappearance, this Saturday, February 18.
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Premier League clubs had a heavy heart this Saturday, February 18.
Ghanaian Christian Atsu, former player of FC Porto, Chelsea, Everton or Newcastle,
was found dead under the rubble of the building where he lived in Antioch
, in the province of Hatay, two weeks after the earthquake. land that struck southern Turkey on February 6.
“
It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce to everyone that the body of Christian Atsu was found this morning
,” said Nana Sechere, his Ghanaian agent, on his Twitter account.
"
The Ghanaian Embassy in Turkey, which transmitted the sad news, indicates that the body was found early this morning
," said the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
Initially, the Ghanaian Embassy in Turkey and the Ghana Football Federation assured that the striker was found alive right after the earthquake.
Information quickly denied in the following hours.
Tributes in Europe and the Premier League
The Ghanaian, revealed by FC Porto in 2011, then went through many clubs in the English championship between 2013 and 2021, such as Chelsea, Everton or Newcastle.
He had recently been recruited by Turkish club Hatayspor last September.
Many tributes were paid to him by his former clubs in Europe this Saturday, February 18, in particular on the lawns of the Premier League before the start of the matches of the 24th day of the championship.
É com profundo pesar que recebemos a notícia da morte do Christian Atsu, um dos nossos campeões de 2013. Que descanse em paz.
À família e amigos, enviamos as mais sentidas condolências, mensagem que estendemos a todas as vitimas do seismo da Turquia e Síria.
pic.twitter.com/pV0ekbEJFV
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) February 18, 2023
Everyone at Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of our former player, Christian Atsu.
Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 18, 2023
We are deeply saddened by today's news that Christian Atsu has been found dead following the earthquake in Turkey earlier this month.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues at @Hatayspor_FK and everyone affected by this tragic event that has claimed so many lives.
pic.twitter.com/W3mWlMcAuf
— Everton (@Everton) February 18, 2023
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Christian Atsu.
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends at this awful time.
pic.twitter.com/FxIou7m0Cj
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) February 18, 2023
We are profoundly saddened to learn that Christian Atsu has tragically lost his life in Turkey's devastating earthquakes.
A talented player and a special person, he will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters.
Rest in peace, Christian.
🖤🤍
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 18, 2023
Başımız sağ olsun.
Göçük altında kalarak hayatını kaybeden futbolcumuz Christian Atsu'nun cenazesi memleketi Gana'ya gönderilmek üzere yola çıkmıştır.
Seni unutmayacağız Atsu.
Mekanın cennet olsun güzel insan.
Üzüntümüzün tariffi yok.
Huzur içinde uyu.
pic.twitter.com/2CSVfwfEuR
— Hatayspor (@Hatayspor_FK) February 18, 2023
“
An ambassador of Ghanaian football
”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also paid tribute to him, saying it was "
saddened by the tragic death of the Ghanaian international
".
“
Ghanaian football has lost one of its finest elements and ambassadors who will be hard to replace.
He will be sorely missed
,” said Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo.
CAF is saddened by the tragic passing of Ghana international, Christian Atsu following the earthquake in Turkey.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his friends, family and loved ones.
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) February 18, 2023
I extend sincere, heartfelt condolences to the widow, children and family of our fellow Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, on the sad news of his death.
Ghana football has lost one of its finest personnel and ambassadors, one who will be difficult to replace.
He'll be sorely missed.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/CqTkEsY4Op
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) February 18, 2023
The Ghana national team, with whom he played 65 games - including four editions of the African Cup of Nations - and reached the 2015 AFCON final in Equatorial Guinea, released a video of his finest achievements under the Black Stars jersey.
André Ayew, the current Ghana captain, also paid tribute to his former national team-mate.
🖤 Christian Atsu won 65 caps for Ghana and helped the Black Stars reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final in Equatorial Guinea, winning the Player of the tournament.
⭐️
You served our Country well, forever in our hearts.
Rest in Peace 💔🕊️@ChristianAtsu20 ❤️ https://t.co/KMWmwDvy18 pic.twitter.com/d9f7XgilSX
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) February 18, 2023
See this post on Instagram
A post shared by Andre Ayew “Mopao” (@andreayew10)
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