CHAMPIONS LEAGUE star Meschack Elia was forced to withdraw from a key match following the tragic death of his four-year-old son.
The DR Congo striker has won four national titles with Swiss club Young Boys.
Elia played in the 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa in September and scored a stunning goal against Manchester City last season.
The 27-year-old was due to feature in the Bernese club's Champions League match with Stuttgart on Wednesday.
But instead he flew back to Congo after learning that one of his twin boys had died after a short illness.
Elijah's partner Sarah was in the Central African country with their sons and one-year-old daughter.
Young Boys forward Lukasz Lakomy held up Elia's shirt after scoring in the 5-1 defeat in Stuttgart.
The club announced: “Meschack Elia and Young Boys received incredibly sad news on Tuesday.
“To everyone's surprise, one of Meschack's sons passed away after a short illness.
“Elijah's partner had traveled with their sons to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the tragic event occurred.”
Club spokesman Albert Staudenmann said: “Meschack was on the ground when he heard the news – he had been destroyed.
“He went to his teammates, who tried to support him with words and hugs.
“We spoke to the players before the match in Stuttgart and no one said they didn't want to participate.
“They all wanted to be there together and give it their all.”
Young Boys are bottom of the 36-team Champions League table, having lost all six matches so far.
They will visit Celtic on January 22.
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