The news of grief enveloped the world of football, because it had just lost one of its players, namely Jose Antonio Reyes, or who was familiarly called Reyes who died due to a car accident which was fatal in Spain on Saturday. The accident that claimed Reyes’ life took place on a highway connecting Utrera and Sevilla on Saturday.
Before his death, Reyes was still under contract with the club Extremadura, Spanish League second division club. Previously, the former Spanish national team player spent 17 years of his career in top-level football with Sevilla, Arsenal, Real Madrid (loan), Atletico Madrid, Benfica (loan), Espanyol.
Reyes’s name has long been unheard of and tends to be forgotten, especially his career is indeed declining and that’s why Reyes’s departure surprised many parties.
Just imagine, since 2016, Reyes has moved as many as four clubs starting from Espanyol, then he also went down to second division with Cordoba, even Reyes then tried the Chinese League second division with Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard, and last with Extremadura last season. Mourning flowed from the club he had played with and also football players like Sergio Ramos, Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Thierry Henry.
“I am broken, crushed. I am speechless. All love for his family. We will always remember you, friend. Rest in peace,” wrote Sergio Ramos who responded to the confirmation of Sevilla’s social media account that reported Reyes’s death.
Former Reyes teammate at Arsenal, Fabregas, also shared his condolences over Reyes’ departure. “Someone who is humble and always smiling, a great footballer, and a phenomenal person. I can’t get up in a worse way. I will never forget when you and your family took me to your house to celebrate my first Christmas in England, when I am alone and still 16 years old, I will never forget you, we will never forget you. I love you very much. ” Fabregas said.
Reyes teammate in the Spanish national team, Iniesta also helped say his condolences. “Too sad to be trusted. Terrible. Rest calmly, friend. All my love and my strength for his family. You will always be with us,” Iniesta said on her twitter account.
Another former Reyes teammate at Arsenal, Robin van Persie, also did not want to miss expressing his sadness. “It’s sad to hear the tragic news from my former teammate Jose Antonio Reyes. An amazing footballer, even someone who is even greater. Sincere condolences from me to his family. Rest in peace, friend,” said van Persie who spent two seasons together Reyes, starting from the 2004/2005 season or a year after Arsenal Invited became the champion.
The Arsenal legend Thierry Henry also shared his sadness at the departure of his former teammate at Arsenal. “I was devastated by the sad news about Jose Antonio Reyes. A wonderful player, an extraordinary teammate, and a very good man. May his family and friends continue to be strong and courageous to go through these difficult times. # Get too fast,” Henry said.
Reyes was part of Arsenal from 2003-2006 and was part of the “Arsenal Invincible” team. In 2006, Reyes returned to Spain. After spending time with Arsenal to join Real Madrid on a loan that he also brought to become champions of La Liga at that time.
Reyes’ death caused UEFA to announce a minute’s silence for a moment of silence over the departure of Jose Antonio Reyes. This was done before kick off the match between Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain, Sunday (02/06/2019) early morning hrs.
Goodbye, Jose Antonio Reyes!
ASL
