The agent of the Ghanaian player, Christian Atsu, confirmed today, Saturday, that his body was found under the building in which he lived in southern Turkey, after the devastating earthquake that occurred last week.
Atsu, 31, was missing in Hatay on the sixth of this month, after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake caused the collapse of a building he was living in.
"Atsu's body was found under the rubble," Murat Uzun Mehmet, the player's agent, told reporters in Hatay, where the body of the former Chelsea winger was found. "More rubble is still being removed. His phone has also been found."
Atsu's family and friends are waiting for the body to be removed from the rubble (Anatolia)
The director of Hatayspor said that Atsu withdrew from leaving Turkey hours before the devastating earthquake that struck the country recently, after he scored the winning goal for his competing team in the Turkish Football League.
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.
Uzüntümüzün tarifi yok.
Huzur içinde uyu.
pic.twitter.com/2CSVfwfEuR
- Hatayspor (@Hatayspor_FK) February 18, 2023
The former Ghanaian player scored the winning goal 1-0 against Qasim Pasha minutes before the end of the match that was held on the fifth of this month.
The Hatayspor manager confirmed on Friday that the Ghanaian player preferred to stay with the club, despite having only participated in two league matches since the start of the season.
Atsu played with Chelsea, Newcastle United and Everton, and spent a period in the Saudi pioneer before moving to Hatayspor in September 2022.
"We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful human being. There are no words to describe our grief," Hatayspor said on Twitter.
Newcastle also sent its condolences to the player's family, saying, "A talented player and a special person who will always be remembered by the players, the coaching staff and the fans."
🖤 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
Atsu, with his remarkable brilliance, helped Ghana reach the final of the 2015 African Cup of Nations, when the team lost to Ivory Coast on penalties.
He last participated with Ghana in 2019.
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
He joined Chelsea from Porto in 2013, and spent several periods on loan at several clubs, including Vitesse Arnhem and Bournemouth.
"Chelsea sends its deepest condolences to Christian's family and friends and to all those affected by the tragedy of the earthquake," the London club said.
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
FIFA expressed its sorrow at the news of the death of the player under the rubble, and offered condolences to his family, friends and all those affected by the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Christian Atsu.
Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and all those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
https://t.co/xzZLVylRQZ
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) February 18, 2023
For its part, the Ghana Football Association mourned its former star on Twitter and published a video clip of the player's most prominent moments with his country's national team, noting that Atsu played 65 international matches with Ghana and helped the national team reach the final of the 2015 African Cup of Nations, and won the award for best player in the tournament.
The Ghana Football Association has received the sad news of the recovery of the body of Christian Atsu from the rubble following the earthquake that struck southern and central Turkey on Monday, February 6, 2023.
May his soul rest in peace!
🖤🕊️
📰: https://t.co/iJ38HQWPtv pic.twitter.com/6gjdkxlvzy
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) February 18, 2023