The late Christian Atsu and Emmanuel Adebayor had an encounter in 2015 during the Stars Soccer Fiesta where football stars, musicians and movie stars gathered.

It is unconfirmed whether this was the very first engagement between the duo. Atsu was 23 years old while Adebayor was 31 years old when they met in Kumasi.

Atsu and Emmanuel Adebaypor eight years ago

None of the two expected that eight years down the line, death would come knocking at the door.

Adebayor, now 39, on March 17, 2023, arrived at the fore court of the State House in Accra bid farewell to Atsu who got trapped under debris for 12 days after Turkey and Syria got hit by an earthquake on February 6, 2023.

arrives at the State House

The Togolese pained by his friend’s passing doffed his hat to the 31-year-old laid in state.

Emmanuel Adebayor here to pay his last respects to Christian Atsu.#INDNews #INDViralBurna Boy | Europa League | AC Milan | Sevilla | Former Black Stars | Champions League pic.twitter.com/CpfQqZsx0x— The Independent Ghana (@independent_gh) March 17, 2023

He stood for close to 10 seconds lost in thought as to how a young man with so much talent could leave the world so soon.

standing close to the remains of Christian Atsu

This was the last time the two met, however, not an occasion to make merry.

Emmanuel Adebayor pays his last respect as he files past the last remains of Christian Atsu.Follow @ABCNewsGH_ for all live updates WATCH:

#statehouse #ripchristainatsu pic.twitter.com/T6bEsUPqgJ— ABC News GH (@ABCNewsGH_) March 17, 2023

A day after Atsu was buried, Adebayor penned a brief tribute.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, he wrote: "Rest in peace, Christian Atsu. Your talent on the pitch and your kind heart off the pitch will always be remembered. You will be missed."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Real Adebayor (@e_adebayor)

Source: The Independent Ghana