Christian Atsu’s wife, Marie-Claire Rupio Atsu, paid homage to her late husband at his pre-burial service on the State House courtyard.
The tribute was read by the late footballer’s sister, Christiana Atsupie Twasam as Mrs. Atsu could not control her tears when she climbed the podium.
“Lying before me today is the mortal remains of a beloved father and husband. I knew little that morning that God is going to call you home. In life, I love you dearly. In death, I do the same. It breaks my heart to lose you. You did not go alone. For part of me went with you.”
“Your love is still my guide, and though I cannot see you. You are always on my side. You were always so full of life. You seemed to be immortal. Your smile, your love, I see you in our children’s smiles. You are never really gone as part of you is within them. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. But as you always say, God wins. In Love, your wife,” the tribute read.
On February 6, 2023, a disastrous 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck regions of Turkey and Syria.
After an 11-story building fell on him and others in Turkey, Atsu’s dead body was recovered from the ruins.
His body was returned to Ghana from Turkey on Sunday, February 19, 2023.
Since then, government authorities, members of the football community, colleagues, supporters, and Ghanaians, in general, have expressed their sympathies to the deceased family, with tributes to the hero pouring in.
Former Black Stars players paid a visit to the late Christian Atsu’s family home to sign the book of condolences that had been opened in his honour.
In the early hours of Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Agyeman Badu, and Haminu Dramani were all present in Atsu’s family residence.
Christian Atsu Twasam (January 10, 1992 – February 6, 2023) was a Ghanaian professional footballer who predominantly played as a winger but was occasionally used as an offensive midfielder or left defender.
Atsu started his career at Porto, although he also spent a season on loan at Rio Ave. Chelsea signed him for £3.5 million in 2013, and he has since been loaned to Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, AFC Bournemouth, and Málaga.
After completing the 2016-17 season on loan with Newcastle United, he signed a permanent deal in May 2017.
After his four-year contract expired, he went on to play for Al Raed in Saudi Arabia and Hatayspor in Turkey, where he perished at the age of 31 in the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake.
From 2012 to 2019, Atsu was a full international with 65 caps, representing Ghana in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and four Africa Cup of Nations competitions.
He helped the team finish second at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also received Player of the Tournament and Goal of the Tournament.
