After the announcement that the body found in the wreckage at the bottom of the English Channel was indeed that of Argentine player, Emiliano Sala, the football world has come together to pay the 28-year old a befitting tribute.
Using the hashtag, #RIPSala, players and fans paid their final tribute to the former Nantes player who died while returning to England to fulfil a dream of playing in the Premier League.
His plane crashed en route from Nantes, France, to Cardiff and it took three weeks for investigators to find his body and the wreckage. The body of the pilot is yet to be found.
Cardiff City, the club he was set to join for a club record £15 million said in a statement: “We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano.
“He and David will forever remain in our thoughts.”
The club fans have also been posting their condolences to his family using the hashtag, #ForeverABluebird even though he never got to play for them.
Below are some of the tributes from fellow professional footballers.
No words to describe how sad this is. ? Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and also to the family of the pilot. ??? #RIPsala pic.twitter.com/Uirj6etfZk
— Mesut Özil (@M10) February 7, 2019
? My thoughts are with the family and friends of Emiliano #RIPSala ?? pic.twitter.com/RvGkexFkPy
— Ayoze Perez (@AyozePG) February 8, 2019
This is how we'll remember you, celebrating goals.#RIPSala pic.twitter.com/RvyOkvEg3F
— Aitor Karanka (@Karanka) February 8, 2019
Rest in peace Emiliano Sala, what a terrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to your loved ones ??? #RIPSala pic.twitter.com/yO9CSSXiFV
— Robin van Persie (@Persie_Official) February 8, 2019
This is truly sad news, rest in peace Emiliano Sala ? #RIPSala pic.twitter.com/bDIStJryir
— Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23) February 8, 2019
What an incredible tragedy. Thoughts are with the loved ones of Emiliano Sala ?? #RIPsala pic.twitter.com/13hCfAWLJb
— Leroy Sané (@leroy_sane) February 8, 2019
We join the rest of the footballing world to mourn the passing of Emiliano Sala. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Emiliano and all those at @CardiffCityFC and @FCNantes #RIPSala ? pic.twitter.com/ifHsxltrkG
— ?? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) February 8, 2019
Very sad news ? Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and also to the family of the pilot. ??? #RIPsala pic.twitter.com/siZTOzcVV3
— Rafinha 13 (@R13_official) February 8, 2019
Rest in peace Emiliano Sala ???
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this time.#RIPSala pic.twitter.com/F7yTxHsZ9O
— Axel Witsel (@axelwitsel28) February 8, 2019
Such a tragedy! My thoughts are with you. #RIPSala pic.twitter.com/1h3QnYJJrV
— Toby Alderweireld (@AlderweireldTob) February 8, 2019