Christian Atsu died after the earthquake in Turkey.
In fact, it was not supposed to be there – but the goal against Kasim Pasha changed the plans.
– He had a plane ticket booked but it was cancelled, says Fatih Elik, managing director of Hatayspor.
On February 5, Christian Atsu, 31, played for Hatayspor and scored a goal against Kasimpasa with a stunning free kick, in the 97th minute.
The next day, he was buried in the masses after the strong earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria.
On Saturday morning, nearly two weeks later, he was confirmed dead.
“Can I leave if I find a team?”
In retrospect, it was revealed that he wasn’t supposed to be in Turkey when the disaster happened.
Christian Atsu told the coach he wanted more time before the match against Gaziantep (1 February). The club’s managing director Fatih Elik told Radyospor: “Can I leave if I find a team?”
Coach Volkan Demirel is said to have accepted the request.
He was going to visit family
So Atsu did not play against Gaziantep, but returned to meet Kasim Pasha, on February 5, where he became a champion.
– He was actually going to France to visit his family, but when he played well and scored goals, he canceled his ticket. So the earthquake occurred on his happiest day. He had a plane ticket booked for eleven o’clock in the evening, but it was cancelled, and at four o’clock the next morning the earthquake occurred. Terrible tragedy.
Earlier on Saturday, the Ghanaian player was hailed ahead of his former club Newcastle’s match against Liverpool. As the entire arena applauded in honor of Atsu, his widow, Marie-Claire Rubio, appeared in the stands with their two children, eyes welling up with tears.