Manchester City center-back, Nathan Ake scored his first UEFA Champions League goal a few minutes before his father, Moise Aké, died.
The 26-year-old Dutchman played a prominent role in Manchester City’s 6-3 win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.
He scored Manchester City’s opener in the 16th minute of the UEFA Champions League group stage game at the Etihad Stadium. Before the game ended, Nathan Ake’s father was confirmed dead.
After the victory, Nathan Ake took to his Instagram page to reveal that his father was sick long before the Champions League game.
Though he did not reveal the name of the sickness, Nathan Ake confirmed that it was not possible for the sickness to the treated.
According to the Netherlands international who made his international debut on May 31, 2017, Moise Aké died peacefully in the presence of the footballer’s mother and brother.
Since the 2021-2022 season commenced, Nathan Ake has not been playing regularly to the dismay of many who didn’t know that he was concerned about the health status of his late father.
In his tribute to his father, Nathan revealed via Instagram how he has been forging ahead with the help of his fiancee Kaylee Ramman, friends, and family members.
The football star wrote: “I know you’re always with me, you will always be in my heart and this one was for you, dad.
“The past few weeks have been the toughest of my life, my dad has been very ill and there was no more treatment possible. I was lucky to have a lot of support from my fiancé, family, and friends.
“Yesterday after a difficult time I scored my first Champions League goal, and only a few minutes after he passed away peacefully with my mum and brother by his side.
“Maybe it was meant to be, watching me play always made him proud and happy.”
Nathan Ake joined Manchester City on August 5, 2020, from Bournemouth for a transfer fee worth €45.30 million.
Despite his struggle with a hamstring injury in his first season at Manchester City, Nathan has been able to make 16 appearances in all competitions. He has scored a total of 2 goals for the reigning Premier League champions.
