Noa van der Bij, the wife of Liverpool and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo, has shared the heartbreaking details of the loss of their unborn baby boy. The couple announced the tragic news last week, revealing that their son, Elijah Raphael Gakpo, passed away during pregnancy.
Heartbreaking Social Media Announcement
Van der Bij took to social media to share a poignant photograph of her and Gakpo holding hands over a blanket and a small knitted hat. The emotional caption read: "With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy." She added: "Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son."
Finding Comfort in a Church Visit
In a deeply personal follow-up post, Van der Bij described visiting a local church to light a candle in memory of their son. After leaving the church, she took their young son, Samuel, to a nearby children's playground. There, she encountered a moment she described as a sign from God. "There was only one other child there," she wrote. "His name was Elijah." She added: "There could not have been a more beautiful sign from God. He reminded us that our little boy is never far away."
Gakpo's Request for Privacy
Following his wife's initial announcement, Gakpo released a brief statement asking for privacy. The Dutch international, who was with the Netherlands squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, requested that the public and media respect their family's space as they navigate this deeply personal tragedy. Despite the devastating loss, Gakpo is expected to remain with the national team and could feature in their round of 32 clash against Morocco.
