Dutch national team attacker Cody Gakpo has requested that the public respect his need for privacy during a period of deep personal grief. His partner, Noa van der Bij, recently shared the tragic news that their baby boy, Elijah Raphael Gakpo, passed away before birth.
Van der Bij confirmed the news on social media, describing the profound sorrow the couple is experiencing. She shared personal photos and recounted a spiritual moment at a church where they encountered a sign they interpreted as a connection to their son. Gakpo, who plays for Liverpool, reiterated these sentiments on his own account, emphasizing the difficulty of this time for his loved ones.
The 27-year-old athlete is currently participating in the World Cup, where he has featured in every match for the Netherlands and contributed two goals. The Dutch squad is scheduled to face Morocco in the round of 32 in Mexico this coming Monday after successfully finishing first in their group.
