Cody Gakpo and Noa van der Bij announce tragic loss
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo and his long-term girlfriend Noa van der Bij have revealed the heartbreaking loss of their unborn son during pregnancy, reports BritPanorama.
The couple shared the devastating news on Instagram, announcing that their baby boy, named Elijah Raphael Gakpo, had died. Van der Bij expressed their grief, stating: “With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy. Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son.”
This announcement follows just weeks after the pair had joyfully revealed they were expecting their second child together, sharing their excitement on 30 May. In a subsequent post, van der Bij recounted a poignant visit to a church to light a candle in memory of their son.
During this visit, van der Bij described how their family, including their son Samuel, encountered one other child in the church playground named Elijah. She reflected, “There could not have been a more beautiful sign from God. He reminded us that our little boy is never far away.” This touching coincidence provided them with a moment of solace amid their grief.
Gakpo and van der Bij already have a son, Samuel Seth, born in 2018. When announcing their pregnancy last month, they had posted: “Our little family is growing. We can’t wait to meet you.” Currently, Gakpo is representing the Netherlands at the World Cup, having played in a recent match against Tunisia that secured top spot in Group F for his nation.
Gakpo, who joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for approximately £40 million, has quickly established himself as a key player at the club during his time at Anfield. In light of this recent tragedy, both his football community and fans are rallying around him and van der Bij, offering condolences and support in this challenging time.
In moments like this, the contrast of personal grief against a backdrop of professional ambition is stark, serving as a reminder of the delicate balance athletes must navigate between their public and private lives.
