Sad news shook Dutch striker Cody Gakpo and his partner. The child the couple was expecting died during pregnancy, as announced by the player’s partner last Saturday.
Cody Gakpo and model Noa van der Bij are already parents to another child, and the baby was due to be born in October. The 27-year-old athlete is currently with the Netherlands national team participating in the World Cup, where the team has already secured its place in the knockout phase of the tournament.
Despite the moment of deep pain, Gakpo decided to continue with the group of players during the competition, as communicated by the Dutch Football Association (KNVB).
Noa van der Bij, through her social networks, shared an emotional image. In it, the couple appears holding hands on a blanket, next to a small knitted hat, with the message revealing the baby’s death.
The caption of Van der Bij’s post expressed his grief: “Thank you for all the love and support. Elijay Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son.”
Gakpo is part of the Netherlands squad that is preparing for the clash against Morocco in the round of 16 of the World Cup, scheduled for next Monday. His professional dedication, even in the face of such an intimate grief, highlights the resilience required in high-level athletes.
In his own post, the Dutch player requested respect for the family’s privacy. “This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. We kindly ask that you respect our privacy and space. We appreciate your understanding,” Gakpo wrote.
The Dutch federation also released a note of support for its athlete. The statement said: “We are with Cody and his family. This is a very sad private situation. Of course we knew this and supported him in every way possible.”
The organization also added about the player’s decision: “After speaking with his girlfriend, Cody decided to remain in the group. We respect their privacy and will not make any further comments.”
Gakpo has had a remarkable performance at the World Cup so far, scoring two goals in the Netherlands’ victory over Sweden, a performance that was crucial for the team to take first place in their group. Now, the team is preparing for the clash against Morocco, which was a semi-finalist in the 2022 World Cup, in a match that will be held in Mexico in the round of 16 stage.
