Cisse’s heartfelt message for tragic pal Cheicky
PAPISS Cisse dedicated his latest goal to friend and former Newcastle United team-mate Cheick Tiote.
Cisse returned to action for Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng yesterday following the shock death of Tiote.
He had previously been seen at a memorial service in China on Tuesday fighting tears as he paid his respects to 30-year-old Tiote, who died after collapsing during a training session earlier this month. After netting in Shandong’s 3-0 Super League victory over Liaoning Kaixin, Cisse lifted his shirt to reveal a message on the vest underneath which read: “I love you, Cheicky, forever Tiote.”
He pointed to the sky as he revealed the message.
Cisse and Tiote spent four years together at St James’ Park, where they shared a strong bond.
Speaking after news Tiote had died, Cisse said: “I lived some extraordinary moments with this man and today he is gone.
“He was like a brother. We shared a lot in life and hs family was my family.”
Tiote’s funeral yesterday in the Ivory Coast saw family and friends joined by international team-mates Wilfried Bony and Kolo Toure and a host of dignitaries.