Atsu's partner 'hopes his name will never go away'

2 years ago 40

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Christian Atsu's partner Marie-Claire Rupio says she "hopes his name will never go away", six months after his tragic death.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Rupio has spoken about the former Newcastle and Ghana midfielder losing his life in the earthquakes that devastated parts of Turkey and Syria.

They claimed more than 50,000 lives with Atsu, 31, found dead under the rubble of his home in Antakya on 18 February, almost two weeks after the quakes.

He and Rupio had three children together, aged nine, six and three at the time of his loss.

"For me, it's very important that his name is still there, especially for the children, that he was known, that he was loved by everybody," she says.

"I just hope that his name will never go away."

Speaking to media for the first time since his passing, Rubio describes the confusion over whether Atsu was safe, hearing about developments on the radio and the impact his death has had on her and their children.

More to follow.

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