Christian Atsu’s wife Marie-Claire Rupio says she “hopes his name will never go away”, six months after his tragic loss of life.
In an unique interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Rupio has spoken in regards to the former Newcastle United and Ghana midfielder, who lost his life in the earthquakes that devastated components of Turkey and Syria.
The earthquakes claimed greater than 50,000 lives with Atsu, 31, discovered useless beneath the rubble of his dwelling in Antakya on 18 February, virtually two weeks after the quakes.
He and Rupio had three youngsters collectively, aged 9, six and three on the time of his loss.
“For me, it is essential that his name continues to be there, particularly for the youngsters, that he was identified, that he was liked by everyone,” she says.
“I simply hope that his name will never go away.”
Speaking to media for the primary time since his passing, Rubio describes the confusion over whether or not Atsu was secure, listening to about developments on the radio and the impression his loss of life has had on her and their youngsters.
‘I used to be shocked, it was arduous to imagine’
Atsu was in Turkey having signed for Hatayspor final September, whereas his household remained in Newcastle.
Rupio final spoke with him on Saturday, 4 February, and since his workforce have been taking part in Kasimpasa the following day, he deliberate to talk together with her once more on the Monday.
Atsu scored the sport’s solely purpose in stoppage time and his wife messaged to congratulate him. His reply to thank her could be the final contact that they had.
On the Monday, Rupio heard in regards to the earthquake on the radio whereas driving.
“I did not imagine that it may occur in a spot [where] he could be,” she mentioned. “As a human being, you suppose this could’t occur to you or anyone you’re keen on.
“I used to be like ‘he is nice and he will name’. But then after some time his sister known as and instructed me that his constructing had completely collapsed. I used to be shocked, it was arduous to imagine.”
Subsequent information reviews created confusion over what had occurred with Atsu, who made 121 appearances for Newcastle between 2016 and 2021.
On 7 February his membership’s vice-president mentioned he had been “removed from the wreckage with injuries”.
However, the next day his agent Nana Sechere mentioned that his whereabouts were yet to be confirmed.
Rupio then told BBC News she believed her husband was still alive and appealed for extra tools to clear the rubble.
“I did not actually learn any information,” mentioned Rupio. “I relied on his agent, Nana, and his sister.
“Our youngsters heard from their college that he has been discovered after which they got here dwelling and heard on the radio once more that he hasn’t been discovered. It wasn’t good, however I instructed them he is likely to be discovered since you nonetheless need to imagine [in] the optimistic final result.”
Being ‘the rock’ for his or her youngsters
Sechere was in the Hatay province to monitor the search for Atsu and later confirmed he had been discovered useless, after calling Rupio in the early hours of the morning to tell her.
“I could not actually cry as a result of I used to be in shock,” she mentioned. “I did not need to imagine [it was true]. I feel my physique simply shut down.
“The subsequent morning the youngsters had soccer and I did not need to take that from them. After [that] I needed to sit them down and clarify it to them.
“It’s not straightforward. It’s not one thing you would want on anyone.”
The pair met whereas Atsu was taking part in for Porto and he earned a transfer to Chelsea in 2013, though he didn’t make a first-team look for the Blues.
He had mortgage spells with Everton and Bournemouth earlier than becoming a member of Newcastle, who Rupio mentioned have “helped me in each single means they might assist”, for which she is “very grateful”.
She added that the Professional Footballers’ Association have helped her discover a therapist whereas her eldest son has had counselling at his college.
Rupio mentioned that “he’s the principle one who’s struggling as a result of he has extra recollections” and is “not likely prepared to speak about it”.
Her youthful son has talked about his father extra and has been asking questions that “typically are very arduous to reply”.
Their daughter just lately turned 4 and on her birthday “she requested when her dad is asking”.
“You must be robust,” she added. “You’re allowed to point out feelings, clearly, however you’ll be able to’t fall down.
“You must be the rock now for everyone. I do break down plenty of instances, so it isn’t straightforward to steadiness the whole lot.”
‘He wasn’t simply gifted, he is been individual as effectively’
Atsu made his worldwide debut in 2012 and went on to win 65 caps for Ghana, serving to the Black Stars attain the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations last.
Ghana’s all-time file goalscorer Asamoah Gyan was among the many to pay tribute to his former team-mate, and he’s remembered for what he did off the sphere as a lot as he did on it.
Atsu supported an orphanage known as Becky’s Foundation, serving to to show a youngsters’s dwelling in the Ghanaian coastal city of Senya Beraku into a college, and he was additionally a daily customer, with some of the children calling him “father”.
A standard week-long interval of mourning was held after his physique was returned to Ghana and he was honoured with a state funeral in the capital Accra, with Ghana’s president amongst lots of of people that paid their final respects.
“He helped plenty of charities, even in the UK,” mentioned his widow. “He’s helped lots of people in Ghana. You cannot actually discuss nearly [his] expertise, he is been individual as effectively.
“The people who find themselves shut do know that, even from the skin as effectively, they’ve seen it.
“He’s constructed a college for youngsters in Ghana and that is one thing that not everyone would do, if they’ve cash.”
