Christian Atsu's partner 'hopes his name will never disappear' after losing his life in Turkey earthquake

Christian Atsu's associate Marie-Claire Rupio says she “hopes his identify won’t ever disappear”, six months after his tragic loss of life.

In an unique interview with BBC Radio 5 Dwell, Rupio spoke concerning the former Newcastle United and Ghana midfielder who misplaced his life within the earthquake that devastated elements 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 kids collectively who have been aged 9, six and three on the time of his loss.

“It's crucial to me that his identify remains to be there, particularly for the children, that he was identified, that everybody beloved him,” he says.

“I simply hope his identify by no means goes away.

Chatting with the media for the primary time since his loss of life, Rubio describes the confusion over whether or not Atsu is secure, listening to the developments on the radio and the impression his loss of life has had on her and their kids.

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 workforce was enjoying Kasimpasa the following day, he deliberate to talk to her once more on Monday.

Atsu scored the one objective 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 concerning the earthquake on the radio whereas driving.

“I didn't imagine it may occur on the spot [where] he would,” she stated. “As a human being, you suppose it will possibly't occur to you or anybody you’re keen on.

“I used to be like 'he's fantastic and he'll name'. However then after some time his sister known as and informed me his constructing had fully collapsed. I used to be shocked, it was exhausting to imagine.”

Subsequent studies have precipitated confusion over what occurred to Atsu, who made 121 appearances for Newcastle between 2016 and 2021.

“I haven't actually learn any information,” Rupio stated. “I relied on his agent Nana and his sister.

“Our youngsters heard from their faculty 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 could be discovered since you nonetheless wish to.” belief [in] constructive consequence.”

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 stated. “I didn't wish to imagine it [it was true]. I believe my physique simply shut down.

“The following morning the children had soccer and I didn't wish 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 want on anybody.”

The pair met when Atsu was enjoying 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 stated “helped me in each manner 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 stated “he's the principle one preventing as a result of he has extra reminiscences” and “he's probably not prepared to speak about it.”

Her youthful son talked extra about his father and requested questions that “are generally very troublesome to reply”.

Their daughter lately turned 4 and on her birthday she “requested when her daddy was calling”.

“You need to be sturdy,” she added. “In fact you possibly can present emotion, however you possibly can't fall down.

“You need to be everybody's rock now. I break down so much so it's not straightforward to stability every thing.”

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 remaining.

Atsu supported an orphanage known as Becky's Basis, which helped flip a kids's dwelling within the Ghanaian coastal city of Senya Beraku into a faculty, and was additionally an everyday customer, with some kids calling him “father”.

After his physique was returned to Ghana, a standard 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 a whole lot of individuals to pay their final respects.

“He helped a whole lot of charities, even within the UK,” his widow stated. “He helped lots of people in Ghana. You possibly can't simply discuss that.” [his] expertise, he was additionally a great particular person.

“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.”