The former Chelsea player was reportedly in the process of breaking up officially with his wife after the latter took him to court
Following the demise of former Ghana midfielder Christian Atsu, it has emerged that the ex-player was battling emotional issues behind the scenes.
The 31-year-old was taken to court by his former wife Marie Claire after their love seemingly turned sour along the way.
It has been reported that Atsu lost his home after his former wife’s German mother joined them in England. Although , Atsu wasn’t happy with the mother-in-law permanently staying with them under one roof, his efforts to get his home back proved futile.
As a result, his wife subsequently sent him to court to officially seek for divorce which meant that the couple lived separately before Atsu met his untimely death.
In 2021, when Atsu’s wife published her book, Stop Bullying Me, which received 5 out of 5 stars and had some rave reviews on Amazon, there was no public support [on social media] from her ‘better-half’. That was when observers became suspicious.
Atsu after leaving Ghana, met Marie-Claire who is a German after signing for Portuguese giants Porto and they got married in 2012. The pair were blessed with three kids.
”When his mother-in-law moved in with them in the UK somewhere in 2021, Atsu’s marital problems began. Atsu felt alone in the home as a result of the wife’s increased focus on the mother. He sometimes found it challenging to play with his children because his mother-in-law has taken control of everything in the home,” a source told GHANAsoccernet.com.
”Atsu was enraged to the core at this. So, in order for them to continue living their private lives, he instructed the wife to politely request that her mother relocates to Germany.
”His wife objected to the idea because she believed the player didn’t want her mother to live with them, which is how their marital issues began,” the source added.
Atsu who was struggling both on and off the pitch at Newcastle United began to look for a new club.
”Atsu was fervently looking for a new club at that time because he only had two months left on his contract with Newcastle.”
”Atsu then moved to Saudi Arabia and signed for Al Raed after failing to find a club in Europe.
”Due to long-standing disagreement [with the wife] before he left for Saudi Arabia, the wife then used his absence to push for a divorce.
”He took the decision to return to Ghana due to injuries and dip in form in Saudi Arabia. He considered hanging up his boots but before that he had plans to play for boyhood team, Hearts of Oak, even if only for a season.”
”But the divorce was on court, and the thoughts about alimony and child support weakened him spiritually.
”He decided to change his career plans at that point and also needed money to fund a ton of unfinished projects in Ghana.
”He then made the decision to put off his plans to don the Rainbow jersey in order to sign a lucrative new deal with another European team.
”Hatayaspor was his only choice and so decided to relocate to Turkey. Remember that before moving to Saudi Arabia, he turned down a rich offer from an unknown Turkish club because he wanted to spend his final years with Hearts of Oak.
”If the divorce proceeding hadn’t begun, Atsu would have returned to Ghana and be playing in the Ghana Premier League.”