Recent heartbreaking news has emerged involving footballer Cody Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, after they shared the devastating loss of their unborn child. The couple revealed that their baby boy passed away during pregnancy, a tragedy that has deeply affected their family and drawn an outpouring of sympathy from fans and the wider public.

Noa van der Bij made the emotional announcement through her social media accounts last week, choosing to share her grief openly with her followers. Alongside her message, she posted a deeply moving photograph showing her and Cody Gakpo holding hands over a soft blanket, which also had a small knitted baby hat placed on it. The image symbolized the unborn child they had been expecting and served as a quiet but powerful tribute to their loss.

In her written statement, Van der Bij expressed the immense pain she and Gakpo are experiencing following the miscarriage. She explained that their baby boy had sadly died during pregnancy, leaving the couple devastated and struggling to process the emotional impact of the tragedy. Her words reflected profound sorrow, as she described the heartbreaking reality of losing a child before birth.

Despite the grief, she also chose to honor her son by sharing his name publicly. The couple had named him Elijah Raphael Gakpo, a detail she revealed in her post as a way of acknowledging his existence and the love they already felt for him. She emphasized that although his life was brief, he would always remain an important part of their family.

In her tribute, Van der Bij expressed that Elijah would forever be loved and remembered. She wrote that he would always be their son, even though he was not able to survive to birth. Her message included words of gratitude for the support she and Gakpo have received, showing appreciation for the kindness shown by friends, fans, and followers during such a painful time.

Following her initial announcement, Van der Bij also shared a more personal reflection on how she has been coping with the loss in her daily life. She described visiting a church with her family shortly after the tragedy, where they lit a candle in memory of their unborn son. She shared a photo of a candle and a cross, symbolizing both remembrance and faith during a moment of deep emotional struggle.

The visit to the church appeared to be an important part of her grieving process, offering her a sense of peace and reflection. In her post, she explained that the act of lighting a candle helped her feel connected to her son in a spiritual way, even though he was no longer physically with them.

After leaving the church, Van der Bij also took a walk to a nearby children’s playground with their young son, Samuel. While there, she noticed that only one other child was present. She later reflected on this encounter in a social media post, sharing that the other child’s name was also Elijah.

This unexpected coincidence brought her a sense of comfort during an otherwise painful period. She described it as a deeply emotional moment that felt meaningful and symbolic. For her, hearing the name Elijah again in such an unexpected place felt like a sign that helped her cope with the grief.

Van der Bij explained that this experience gave her a feeling of reassurance and spiritual comfort. She interpreted it as a message of connection, believing that it served as a reminder that their unborn son was still present in some way. She described the moment as something she felt could not simply be a coincidence, calling it a comforting sign that brought her emotional relief during a very difficult time.

In her words, the experience felt like a message from God, offering reassurance that their baby boy was not truly gone from their lives. She expressed that the encounter helped her believe that Elijah would always remain close to them in spirit, even if he could not be with them physically.

Throughout this period, Cody Gakpo has also responded publicly to the tragedy. The professional footballer issued a short but respectful statement in which he asked for privacy for himself and his family. He emphasized that they are going through an extremely painful and personal situation and requested that the media and public allow them space to grieve without intrusion.

Gakpo’s message reflected his desire to focus on supporting his partner and family as they navigate the emotional impact of the loss. He did not provide further details, choosing instead to keep the situation private while acknowledging the overwhelming sadness they are experiencing.

The tragedy occurred during a particularly significant time in Gakpo’s professional career, as he was participating in international duty with the Netherlands national team at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Despite the personal loss, he remained part of the squad during the tournament.

Reports indicated that Gakpo was expected to continue with the national team and potentially feature in upcoming matches, including a knockout-stage fixture against Morocco. His situation drew attention not only because of his role as a key player, but also due to the emotional challenge of balancing elite sports competition with personal grief.

Fans and supporters from around the world have expressed sympathy for the couple, offering messages of support across social media. Many have praised Van der Bij for her openness in sharing such a painful experience and have extended their condolences to both her and Gakpo during this difficult time.

The loss of their unborn son has clearly had a profound impact on the couple, who are now navigating a period of mourning while also dealing with public attention due to Gakpo’s football career. Their story has resonated widely, highlighting the emotional struggles that can occur even in the lives of public figures.

As they continue to grieve, both Gakpo and Van der Bij have emphasized the importance of privacy, healing, and family support. Their messages suggest that they are focusing on supporting each other and their children while coping with the emotional aftermath of the tragedy.

Although the future remains uncertain, what is clear is that the memory of their son, Elijah Raphael Gakpo, will remain an enduring part of their lives.