Hundreds of people including Ghana’s president are paying their last respects to Christian Atsu, who died in last month’s earthquake in Turkey.
His funeral is being held outside State House in Ghana’s capital, Accra.
“In life I love you darling, in death I’ll do the same,” read the tearful tribute from the footballer’s widow, Marie-Claire Rupio.
She was overcome with emotion and handed her speech to Atsu’s sister to finish reading.
“You did not go alone, for part of me went with you,” it continued. “Your smile, your love I see in our children’s smiles.”
Representatives of Ghana’s national team and Atsu’s Turkish club Hatayspor were also at the ceremony for a man seen by many as a national hero.
