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The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has shared a heartfelt message on late Black Stars player Christian Atsu’s birth date.
Today, January 10, 2025, would have been Atsu’s 33rd birthday.
Born January 10, 1992, Atsu tragically lost his life aged 31 in the tragic earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria in 2023 and claimed the lives of over 46,000 people.
The late Ghana winger was then playing for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor and had scored a 97th-minute winner in their 1-0 victory over Kasimpasa before the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck days the following day.
Atsu was trapped under the rubble and was found dead 12 days later after the earthquake caused the collapse of his apartment in Antakya, Hatay.
GFA sends touching message
On what would have been Atsu’s 33rd birthday, the GFA has sent a heart warming message to celebrate the late footballer.
The Association posted pictures of the former Chelsea and Newcastle man on its official X (formerly Twitter) account with the caption:
On what would have been your birthday, we remember and celebrate the incredible person and player you were, Christian Atsu. Your legacy with the #BlackStars lives on.
After moving to Chelsea from Porto in 2013, Atsu spent time on loan at Everton and Bournemouth. During his first loan stint in 2016, he contributed to Newcastle's promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, which was extended to a permanent position in 2017.
He also made 65 appearances for Ghana and helped the national side reach the finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where they lost to Ivory Coast in Equatorial Guinea.
He was awarded the goal and player of the tournament.