Ghana International and Hatayspor forward, Christian Atsu trends in Ghana and beyond as his family and fans take to various social media platforms to pour out their thoughts, supports and prayers for him hours after he has been reportedly trapped under rubble in an 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria.
Social media users took to various platforms to pray for the former Chelsea and Newcastle man who has been missing since Monday morning alongside Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut.
Former Ghanaian international and general secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana, Mr Tony Baffoe wrote this on his twitter handle;
“Praying for Christian Atsu and those who haven’t been found yet during the earthquake today in Turkey 🇹🇷 🙏🏿🙏🏿let’s keep the hope alive 🙏🏿🙏🏿my sympathies and condolences goes to all the victims of the families who have lost their lives during the earthquake today 🙏🏿🙏🏿“
The official handle of the Ghana Football Association says they are working with all stakeholders to find Atsu safe and sound.
“We pray for Ghana International Christian Atsu and victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
We continue with our efforts to establish contact with officials of Hataspor and the Turkish Football Federation, considering the difficult situation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Christian Atsu and our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria. We remain hopeful for positive news.”-they tweeted.
Messages of hope and encouragement have been pouring in from former teammates of the Ghanaian international.
His former club, FC Porto also tweeted words of encouragement to everyone involved.
“We are with the Turkish and Syrian people 🇹🇷🇸🇾 and with all those affected by the effects of the earthquake that devastated that region.”
It is also with dismay that we hear the news about our former athlete Christian Atsu, who is still missing. May everything work out for the best.
The 31-year-old, who previously had spells with Newcastle United, Everton and Porto, has been playing for Hatayspor in the Turkish Super League since joining the club last September.
Super-sub Atsu saved the day for Hatayspor on Sunday, coming off the substitutes' bench to score a 97th-minute goal in a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa.
A message from English Premier league side? Newcastle United, where Atsu spent five years, tweeted on Monday: "Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20".
Christian Atsu played an integral part for Ghana at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Equatorial Guinea where Ghana came second. The left-footed forward was named the player of the tournament after his explosive display for the Black Stars.
Let’s pray for Christian Atsu….. this video shows a building collapsing after the Turkey earthquake pic.twitter.com/nlccbBN8gP
— Bright Kankam Boadu (@TheOnlyBKB) February 6, 2023
