CHRISTIAN ATSU’S wife and children were in attendance at St James’ Park yesterday as Newcastle paid tribute to the late winger.
Atsu was found dead aged 31 on Friday, 12 days after a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake had struck Turkey and Syria.
The Ghanaian last played for Turkish side Hatayspor, having represented Newcastle between 2016 and 2021.
In the Toon’s first match since news of Atsu’s passing, fans, players and staff paid tribute to their much beloved former player.
Atsu’s wife Marie-Claire Rupio attended the game against Liverpool with their three children.
St James’ Park conducted a minute’s silence, which broke into applause prior to kick-off.
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Marie-Claire could then be seen looking visibly moved as fans sung her late husband’s name.
Liverpool supporters chanted their anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in solidarity with everyone mourning the tragic loss of life.
A Toon fan also held up a jersey with Atsu’s name on the back.
Atsu’s former Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez paid tribute to him while appearing as a pundit on Sky Sports.
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The Spaniard said: “It’s really sad because he was a nice, nice, special person.
“He was a good professional. I don’t talk about if he’s a good player or not, he was a nice lad and a good player, but especially a really nice person.
“So a special person and everybody always, you can see the pictures, always with a smile playing or not playing.”
His former team-mate Allan Saint-Maximin added: “It’s a really sad day for Newcastle and the players.
“Most of the players know him well – he was a great guy and we had a nice time with him. It’s very painful. Some things are difficult for me – I will never forget him.
He would always joke and smile everyday
Allan Saint Maximin on Atsu
“It’s hard to explain – I will tell you the truth, when I arrived in Newcastle, he was always giving me advice, a very nice guy – he would always joke and smile every day.
“He was a great person. I know him… it’s a difficult day for me. I will try to do my best and think about him and do my best.”
Current Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “We’re treating it as the tragedy that it is, giving him our thoughts and our prayers and to his family as well. We want to support them in this moment.”
The devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6 has killed more than 43,000 people.
Atsu played his final match as a professional footballer less than 24 hours before it struck.
He ended the game a hero, being mobbed by his ecstatic team-mates after scoring a sensational 97th minute free-kick to win the match 1-0 for his side Hatayspor.
After the game, club administrative manager Fatih Ilek revealed that Atsu had been due to fly out of Turkey to look for a new club just hours before the earthquake – only to change his mind after his brilliant performance.
Ilek told a local radio station: “After the match, there was such great unity. Coach Volkan Demirel’s embrace of Atsu, and Atsu’s celebration both on the pitch and later in the dressing room will be forever in my eyes.
“This was his destiny. He had a ticket to go but because he scored, he changed his mind about leaving.
“He was caught in an earthquake on his happiest day. This is literally a tragedy.”
After 12 days of desperately searching for him, Atsu’s manager said his body was tragically discovered buried in the rubble on Saturday.
“Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble,” Murat Uzunmehmet said.
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“Currently, more items are still being taken out. His phone was also found.”
Tributes were also paid for Atsu at Stamford Bridge and Goodison Park, as old clubs Chelsea and Everton sought to pay respect their former player.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
