Marie-Claire Rupio, the widow of the late Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu, has shared the difficult moment when she had to inform her children about their father’s passing. She revealed that the uncertainty surrounding Atsu’s whereabouts during the initial period took a heavy toll on the entire family, making it challenging to break the news to their children that their father was no longer alive.
Speaking during an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, Rupio expressed how she was unable to shed tears even after her husband’s death was confirmed, as her shock and disbelief were overwhelming.
“When the news came, I was in such shock that I couldn’t really cry. It was like my body shut down and I couldn’t accept that it was true,” she recounted.
Rupio further described the poignant moment when she gathered her strength to sit her children down and explain their father’s passing to them. She acknowledged that this was an incredibly difficult task and emphasized that it’s an experience no one would ever want to go through.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, February 18, 2023, when Atsu’s lifeless body was recovered from the wreckage following a devastating earthquake that struck Turkey. The earthquake had led to an extensive search for Atsu, who was a former player for Chelsea and Newcastle United.
On Friday, March 17, 2022, Atsu was laid to rest in his hometown of Ada, Ghana. The couple had three children together, and Rupio expressed her hope that his legacy as a beloved individual and a talented footballer will endure.
“It’s of utmost importance to me that his name lives on, especially for our children. I want people to remember and love him always. I pray that his memory will remain etched in our hearts,” Rupio concluded.