Portuguese clubs Rio Ave and FC Porto paid tribute to the late Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu, who tragically passed away following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria earlier this month.
Atsu, who was confirmed dead on Saturday by his agent Nana Sechere after his body was eventually found under the rubble in his apartment in the city of Hatay, played for both Portuguese clubs across his 12-year career.
Christian Atsu, até sempre.#FCPRAFC pic.twitter.com/Lxs1HUTFPy
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) February 18, 2023
Before their game at the Estadio de Dragao, the captains of the two clubs, Kepler Laveran de Lima, aka Pepe (Porto), and Goncalo Rodrigues, aka Guga (Rio Ave), both held jerseys with the former winger’s name on them as a show of respect for his time with the clubs.
Pepe held a Rio Ave jersey with the name Atsu and the No. 20 on it, while Guga was seen holding the No. 27 on a Porto jersey. Players from the two teams gathered around for a picture while Atsu’s montage was playing on the big screen in the stadium.
The 31-year-old began his professional club career with Porto in 2011 at the age of 17. Shortly after, he was sent on loan to Rio Ave for the remainder of the season.
The former Black Stars footballer made his debut in the Primeira Liga in August 2011 in a game between Rio Ave and Olhanense. He got his first goal in Portugal in a 5-1 defeat to Benfica at the Estadio da Luz in December of the same year.
He appeared 31 times for Rio Ave. and was involved in 10 goals—six goals and four assists.
After his season-long loan spell with the Big River club, Atsu returned to Porto for the 2012–13 season. He played in 31 games that season, including 17 in the league. He started nine league matches, scoring once and assisting four times.
He ended the season as a league champion and also won the Portuguese Super Cup title with Porto that same year when they defeated Academica by a lone goal from Jackson Martinez.
Also, Newcastle United paid tribute to their former star before their 2-0 loss to Liverpool at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
We will never forget you, Christian. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YrF652cCUE
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 18, 2023
The Magpies held a minute’s silence before the match with his emotional wife, Marie-Claire Rupio, and his three children in attendance.
Atsu’s picture was also displayed on the big screen, and chants of “you’ll never walk alone” echoed around the 52,000 capacity stadium.
Likewise, Chelsea, his initial club in England, also paid a tribute to him with a picture of him up on the big screen at Stamford Bridge just before their Premier League game against Southampton.
You're in our thoughts, Christian. 💙 pic.twitter.com/A5g55dGeVs
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 18, 2023
Players and fans of both teams also observed a minute’s applause for the former Blue winger.
