Nathan Ake has revealed that his dad passed away moments after seeing his son score his first Champions League goal.
The Manchester City defender scored the opening goal of Wednesday night’s 6-3 win over RB Leipzig, only his second goal for the club he joined in the summer of 2020.
The Netherlands international took to Instagram today to tell followers that his father, Moise, who was born in Ivory Coast, had died after being told a few weeks ago that he was terminally ill.
It is believed that is the reason Ake left the Netherlands squad during the recent World Cup qualifiers.
Ake said: “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. I know you’re always with me, you will always be in my heart and this one was for you dad.”
