Christian Atsu: From Fisherman's Son To 'One In A Million' Black Star | Soccer/Soccer

But perhaps Atsu's biggest success came off the pitch, where he led a life that was very much the opposite of the bling stereotype associated with modern-day footballers.

He returned to Cheetah FC, where he learned his trade, donating boots and other items to the Ghanaian second-tier side's academy.

He also focused on rehabilitating criminals, people who were desperate for food and ended up convicted of petty crimes.

Atsu believed that prison should not damage people and he was responsible for reuniting several impoverished families in Ghana after paying out thousands of dollars in fines and bail money.

In one example, he helped free a 62-year-old grandmother and her daughter, jailed for stealing two dollar's worth of corn to feed their family.

He gave some of the prisoners money to get them started in business and also upgraded the football pitch in Awutu Prison.

But Atsu's philanthropy was not limited solely to helping those in trouble with the law.

"He was such a giver, such a superhuman being," Ellie Milner, chairperson of Arms Around the Child, told the BBC when asked about the midfielder's work with vulnerable children.

"When he visited the children, he would arrive and kick off his shoes and play barefoot.

"They would welcome him like a hero, but also like a father, uncle or brother."

Atus had been an ambassador for the charity since 2016 and was the main benefactor of a Ghanaian school supporting abandoned children, orphans, the chronically ill and those rescued from trafficking.

"He was a truly unique and wonderful man," added Milner.

"One of the kindest, most talented, humble people to enter this world."

"His legacy will live on through the many hundreds, if not thousands of lives he has helped."