Abdul Hayye Yartey, former local manager of Black Stars winger, Christian Atsu says the winger was always determined to succeed following the passing away of the Ghana international.
The 31-year-old was trapped under rubble for 12 days following an earthquake that struck the Turkey last two weeks.
According to the Football Administrator, it had been a difficult moment for him since the incident occurred.
The manager recalled the promises and conversations he had with Christian Atsu when he had the opportunity to fly to the Portuguese side, FC Porto for his trial on January 20, 2010.
“He sent me this message, ‘Thanks Mr Yartey, I appreciate you, I told Isaac my brother that I dreamt that you were the only person who can help me, as I travel for trials, I want to tell you that I will not return, I will succeed, I will play football to the highest level, the world will hear of me, I will make you proud’, he said.
Atsu, known as Ghana’s Messi for his splendid skills sent Ghana to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals where Ghana lost to Ivory Coast on penalties. He was later named the best player of that tournament and also the MVP in the 2017 AFCON.
Also, he won the goal of the tournament in the 2015 AFCON and made the team of the tournament in that same year.
At the club level, the 31-year-old won the Vitesse Player of the Year in the 2013/2014 league season, the Primeira Liga winner, and the EFL Championship winner in the 2016/2017 season.