Dutch national team star faces personal tragedy during World Cup

Liverpool and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo is enduring a profound personal tragedy—his child passed away during pregnancy. The heartbreaking news was shared by his partner, Noa van der Bij, on social media.

"With shattered hearts, we announce that our son passed away during pregnancy," she wrote on Instagram, noting that the baby was due in October.

Later, van der Bij revealed that they had already chosen a name for their son—Elijah Raphael Gakpo. In a subsequent message, she opened up about intimate moments connected to their loss, emphasizing that the family is trying to cope with their grief.

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Gakpo himself also responded to the tragedy, reaching out to the public with a request for privacy. "This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. We ask for respect for our personal space and thank you for your understanding," the footballer wrote.

Despite this heartbreaking situation, Gakpo remains with the Dutch national team and continues his World Cup campaign. In the upcoming match, his team will face Morocco.