A former Arsenal star died in a automobile crash and his widow publicly shared the heartbreaking remaining WhatsApp message she acquired from him hours earlier than his dying.
Former Arsenal star Jose Antonio Reyes married Noelia Lopez in 2017 (Picture: Getty Pictures)
The widow of Jose Antonio Reyes has beforehand revealed the ultimate message she acquired from her husband simply hours earlier than his devastating dying. The Arsenal hero was killed in a automobile crash, aged 35, alongside his 23-year-old cousin Jonathan Reyes in June 2019.
The previous Gunners star was a key member of the legendary Invincibles squad that secured the Premier League title in 2004. He was then offered to Atletico Madrid in 2007, the place he received the Europa League twice, and two of his former golf equipment are as a result of face each other within the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.
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Off the pitch, Reyes married Noelia Lopez in 2017 and the couple had two daughters collectively. The Spain worldwide additionally had a son from a earlier relationship, Jose Antonio Jr, who’s presently a part of Actual Madrid’s academy.
A number of months after her husband’s passing, Lopez shared a screenshot of the final message she had acquired from him. Nonetheless saved as ‘Papi Amor’ in her contacts, he had despatched the WhatsApp at 7.43am on the morning of his dying.
Translated from Spanish, the heartbreaking message learn: “Good morning mommy I like you guys.”
Later that very same 12 months, Lopez additionally found an outdated Valentine’s Day observe from her companion, during which Reyes had written: “Joyful Valentine’s Day. I will not overlook you even from a distance.”
Reyes died together with his cousin Jonathan when his Mercedes Brabus S550 crashed on the A-376 motorway in southern Spain. One other of the footballer’s cousins, Juan Manuel Calderon, sustained extreme burns however survived the crash.
Lopez described her husband because the “love of my life” and delivered a heartfelt tribute shortly earlier than his funeral in June 2019. She stated: “We’ll at all times consider you and you’ll stay on ceaselessly in our hearts. You have given us the very best life and you permit the very best reminiscences.
“You’ll have a look at me in Noelia’s eyes and you’ll smile with me in Triana’s smile. I like you and can love you for ever.”
Reyes received the Premier League with Arsenal in 2004 (Picture: Getty Pictures)
As a footballer, Reyes started his profession with hometown membership Sevilla, and his spectacular performances prompted a switch to Arsenal halfway by way of their unbeaten season in January 2004, the place he made 13 appearances to safe a Premier League medal.
He additionally claimed the 2005 FA Cup and featured within the 2006 Champions League remaining, accumulating 110 appearances for the membership.
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Reyes returned to Spain after becoming a member of Actual Madrid on mortgage, the place he received La Liga, earlier than crossing the town to signal for Atletico completely in 2007. The winger returned to Sevilla in January 2012, remaining there till 2016 and profitable three Europa League titles.
Forward of Arsenal’s conflict with Sevilla in 2023, supervisor Mikel Arteta fondly recalled the time spent alongside his former Spain Beneath-21 team-mate. He stated of Reyes: “I’ve nice reminiscences. He was my roommate and we spent numerous time collectively.
“He was a implausible character with a really particular character and had an unbelievable soccer expertise. At that age, I am unable to recall a greater participant than him, he had all the things. He performed for [Arsenal and Sevilla] and he’s a part of our historical past in an enormous approach as a result of he was a part of the Invincibles as effectively.”
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