Fatih Ilek, Hatayspor's Administrative Manager, stated that Christian Atsu planned on visiting his family prior to the earthquakes in Turkey.
Atsu cancelled his trip after his Turkish football team, Hatayspor, won a game against Kasimpasa. He scored the game-winning goal in the 97th minute.
Atsu, 31, went missing following the earthquakes and was later discovered dead on February 18.
According to Ilek, Atsu had planned to leave Turkey before his final game but changed his mind after the team won and he joined in the celebrations.
"Christian Atsu told the coach that he wanted to take more time before our match with Gaziantep FK. ‘Can I leave if I find a team?’ he said. Volkan Demirel also accepted this request," he told Radyospor.
"He didn’t play against Gaziantep FK but scored a last-minute goal in the Kasımpasa match. Actually, he was going abroad to visit his family. But when he played well and scored, he cancelled his ticket.
"The earthquake happened on his happiest day. He had a flight at 11 pm. Cancelled the ticket. There was an earthquake at 4 am. Absolutely a tragedy."
Atsu had previously represented Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Everton, and his death surprised and devastated many fans.