Awudu Issaka, a former U-17 FIFA World Cup champion, admitted he was astounded when he first watched Christian Atsu compete at the academy level.

Issaka admitted that after facing the former Chelsea player, he was forced to give up playing football in Ghana.

Sam Ardy, a late Ghanaian coach, reportedly told Awudu Issaka that Christian Atsu is a player who shares many of his characteristics.

"Atsu did not play for my team, but he has been a blessing to a lot of people. I got to know Atsu through Sam Arday while in Europe. Sam Arday called and told me we have gotten a player of my calibre in the person of Atsu. When I arrived in Ghana, I watched him and realized his potential,” he said as quoted by footballghana.com

He also described how late Atsu and Black Stars defender Harisson Afful shocked him by retiring from football after he had just returned from Europe.

“After my career in Europe, I came to Ghana. We played a game with Feyenoord, a team coached by Sam Arday at the time; in fact, that was the first time I played against Atsu and Harrison Afful. Truth be told, the two players gave me a tough time; they didn’t allow me to enjoy the game, and that is why I lost interest in playing in Ghana.”

Christian Atsu started his career at Gomoa Feteh Feyenoord and later joined Cheetah FC before securing a move to FC Porto in Portugal to kick-start his professional career.