Netherlands player Cody Gakpo has decided to continue to play at the World Cup after the heartbreaking loss of his unborn son, according to the Dutch Football Association.
The forward has chosen to stay in the tournament as the team prepares for the knockout stage, despite his personal family tragedy.
The couple already shares one child, a son, together.
The team’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, commended the couple for the strength they have shown in dealing with their personal tragedy.
“He’s very mature, very adult. I have lots of respect for the way he and his family are handling this. However awful it is, I respect it very much," he said.
He also said that he expects the forward to be fully focused ahead of Monday’s game against Morocco.
Gakpo has been granted some personal time off to spend with his family near the team base in Kansas City.
“We have done what was within our power in terms of support, as players, as staff,” Coach Roanald Koeman said. “Of course, the first few days he had the freedom to go out to his family and be with them. He dealt with it very well, there was never a moment where he said ‘I want to go back, I want to be with the family,” he added.
Gakpo, 27, has not personally made any public statements about the miscarriage.
Gakpo scored twice in the Netherlands' victory over Sweden, helping the team to secure a top spot in their group.
Monday's match between the Netherlands and Morocco has been scheduled for 9 p.m. ET in Monterrey, Mexico.