You did not go alone – Christian Atsu’s wife’s tribute

Ghanaians and the world today mourn former Black Stars and Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu who died in the earthquake that killed over 50,000 people last month.

One of the mourners whose life and the winger own crossed somewhere in the early 2010s is the wife of the winger, Marie-Claire Rupio. And she had delivered a touching tribute in memory of her late husband as she today bids him farewell.

Read the full tribute below.

“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 loved 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 smile.

“You are never really gone as part of you is within me. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

“But as you always say, God win.

“In love, your wife,” she ended.

Christian Atsu was trapped in the rubble of the earthquake that rocked parts of Turkey and Syria, taking the lives of more than 50,000 people including Hatayspor technical director Taner Savut. He was trapped in his apartment at Antakya in the Hatay province where the 7.8 magnitude earthquake caused massive devastation.

The body of the winger was found 12 days on February 18. His body was immediately returned to Ghana where the government pledged to support in organizing a befitting burial for the former Everton speedster.