GFA and others pay sincere homage to Christian Atsu on his 33rd birthday.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Christian Atsu on what would have been his 33rd birthday, January 10, 2025.

Atsu, a former Black Stars winger, tragically lost his life at the age of 31 in the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February 2023. The disaster claimed over 46,000 lives, including Atsu’s, after the collapse of his apartment building in Antakya, Hatay.

Just days before the 7.8-magnitude earthquake, Atsu had brought joy to fans by scoring a stunning 97th-minute winner for his club, Hatayspor, in a 1-0 victory against Kasimpasa. His body was recovered 12 days after the disaster.

On the occasion of his birthday, the GFA shared a touching message to honour the legacy of the beloved footballer:

“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.”

The GFA’s tribute was shared widely on social media alongside posts from Atsu’s former clubs and other football organizations.

Chelsea FC, where Atsu spent several years after joining from Porto in 2013, shared their condolences:
“Today we remember Christian Atsu on his birthday.”

Newcastle United, where Atsu played a vital role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2016, also honoured him:
“Today we remember Christian Atsu on his birthday. We miss you, Christian.”

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and other organizations, as well as fans, also joined in remembering Atsu’s immense contributions to football.

During his career, Atsu had loan spells at Everton and Bournemouth before making a permanent move to Newcastle in 2017. His time with the Black Stars was equally memorable, earning 65 caps and being named the Best Player of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Christian Atsu’s legacy as both a remarkable footballer and a kind-hearted individual continues to live on in the hearts of fans and the football community worldwide.