Christian Atsu's accomplice Marie-Claire Rupio says she “hopes his title won’t ever disappear”, six months after his tragic dying.
In an unique interview with BBC Radio 5 Stay, Rupio spoke in regards to the former Newcastle United and Ghana midfielder who misplaced his life within the earthquake that devastated components of Turkey and Syria.
The quake claimed greater than 50,000 lives, with Atsu, 31, discovered lifeless underneath the rubble of his dwelling in Antakya on February 18, practically two weeks after the tremors.
He and Rupio had three youngsters collectively who have been aged 9, six and three on the time of his loss.
“It's crucial to me that his title remains to be there, particularly for the children, that he was identified, that everybody liked him,” he says.
“I simply hope his title by no means goes away.
Talking to the media for the primary time since his dying, Rubio describes the confusion over whether or not Atsu is protected, listening to the developments on the radio and the influence his dying has had on her and their youngsters.
'I used to be in shock, it was onerous to imagine'
Atsu was in Turkey, the place he signed for Hatayspor final September, whereas his household remained in Newcastle.
Rupio final spoke to him on Saturday, February 4, and since his crew was taking part in Kasimpasa the following day, he deliberate to talk to her once more on Monday.
Atsu scored the one purpose of the sport in stoppage time and was congratulated by his spouse. His response of thanks can be their final contact.
On Monday, Rupio heard in regards to the earthquake on the radio whereas driving.
“I didn't imagine it may occur on the spot [where] he would,” she mentioned. “As a human being, you assume it could actually't occur to you or anybody you like.
“I used to be like 'he's high quality and he'll name'. However then after some time his sister referred to as and informed me his constructing had fully collapsed. I used to be shocked, it was onerous to imagine.”
Subsequent reviews have brought on confusion over what occurred to Atsu, who made 121 appearances for Newcastle between 2016 and 2021.
“I haven't actually learn any information,” Rupio mentioned. “I relied on his agent Nana and his sister.
“Our children heard from their college that he was discovered after which they got here dwelling and heard on the radio once more that he wasn't discovered. It wasn't fairly, however I informed them he is perhaps discovered since you nonetheless need to.” belief [in] constructive outcome.”
To be “poo” on your youngsters
Sechere was in Hatay province to observe the seek for Atsu and later confirmed that he had been discovered lifeless after calling Rupio within the early hours of the morning to tell her.
“I couldn't actually cry as a result of I used to be in shock,” she mentioned. “I didn't need to imagine it [it was true]. I feel my physique simply shut down.
“The subsequent morning the children had soccer and I didn't need to take that away from them [that] I needed to sit them down and clarify it to them.
“It's not straightforward. It's not one thing you would like on anybody.”
The pair met when Atsu was taking part in for Porto and earned a transfer to Chelsea in 2013, regardless of not making a first-team look for the Blues.
Earlier than becoming a member of Newcastle, he had mortgage spells with Everton and Bournemouth, who Rupio mentioned “helped me in each means they may”, for which she is “very grateful”.
She added that the Skilled Footballers' Affiliation helped her discover a therapist, whereas her eldest son had counseling at college.
Rupio mentioned “he's the principle one preventing as a result of he has extra recollections” and “he's not likely prepared to speak about it.”
Her youthful son talked extra about his father and requested questions that “are typically very troublesome to reply.”
Their daughter just lately turned 4 and on her birthday she “requested when her dad was calling”.
“It’s a must to be robust,” she added. “In fact you’ll be able to present emotion, however you’ll be able to't fall down.
“It’s a must to be everybody's rock now. I break down lots so it's not straightforward to steadiness every little thing.”
“He wasn't simply gifted, he was additionally a superb individual”
Atsu made his worldwide debut in 2012 and gained 65 caps for Ghana, serving to the Black Stars attain the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations last.
Atsu supported an orphanage referred to as Becky's Basis, which helped flip a youngsters's dwelling within the Ghanaian coastal city of Senya Beraku into a faculty, and was additionally a daily customer, with some youngsters calling him “father”.
After his physique was returned to Ghana, a conventional week-long interval of mourning was held and he was honored with a state funeral within the capital Accra, the place the Ghanaian president was amongst lots of of individuals to pay their final respects.
“He helped numerous charities, even within the UK,” his widow mentioned. “He helped lots of people in Ghana. You’ll be able to't simply speak about that.” [his] expertise, he was additionally a superb individual.
“People who find themselves shut know that they noticed it from the skin.
“He constructed a faculty for kids in Ghana and that's one thing not everybody would do if they’d the cash.”