According to Fatih Ilek, the administrative manager of Hatayspor, Christian Atsu was scheduled to travel to see his family on the eve of the deadly earthquakes in Turkey, but the winger canceled the flight.
Ilek told Radyospor that Christian Atsu told the coach 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.
He didn’t play against Gaziantep FK but scored a last-minute goal in the Kasımpasa match. He was going abroad to visit his family. But when he played well and scored, he canceled his ticket. The earthquake happened on his happiest day. He had a flight at 11 pm. Canceled the ticket. There was an earthquake at 4 am. Absolutely a tragedy, Fatih Ilek further revealed in his interview with Radyospor.
Many Ghanaians and football fans from across the globe have taken to social media to pay tribute to the mercurial winger who had 65 caps for Ghana between 2012 and 2019.
Chelsea, FC Porto, Newcastle United, Everton, and Bournemouth are some of the European football clubs Atsu has played for.
Atsu joined Hatayaspor in September last year, and just hours before the natural disaster that claimed over 45,000 lives, he scored his first goal for the club on Sunday, February 5.
His mortal remains have been flown back home with assistance from Ghana’s Embassy in Turkey and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.