Ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid star Jose Antonio Reyes has been killed in a traffic accident, his former club Sevilla FC tweeted on Saturday.
“Our beloved squad member Jose Antonio Reyes died in a traffic accident,” the club said.
No podríamos ofrecer una noticia peor. Ha fallecido en accidente de tráfico nuestro querido canterano José Antonio Reyes. Descanse en paz. pic.twitter.com/RC26QJ6zOz
— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) June 1, 2019
Reyes made a name for himself playing for Sevilla, where he began his career as a young player in their football academy. Reyes made his professional debut for the club in 2000, at the age of 16.
The Spaniard would eventually move to a string of top-flight clubs around Europe, including Arsenal, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Captain Jose Antonio Reyes (C) of Sevilla lifts the Europa League trophy as players celebrate at the award ceremony after the UEFA Europa League Final match between Liverpool and Sevilla at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland on May 18, 2016. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)Arsenal tweeted that everyone at the club was “devastated” by the news, saying Reyes was “a hugely popular figure at our club,” who would “always hold a special place in our hearts.”
Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that our former player Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision in Spain.
Jose Antonio Reyes: 1983-2019
Rest in peace, Jose ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AT6rLFutvI
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) June 1, 2019
Thierry Henry, who played alongside him at Arsenal, paid tribute to Reyes as a “wonderful player, superb team mate and exceptional human being,” and offered his condolences to the footballer’s family and friends.
I’m devastated to hear the sad news about José Antonio Reyes. Wonderful player, superb team mate and exceptional human being. I wish his family and friends continued strength and courage to get through this difficult time. #takenfartoosoon
— Thierry Henry (@ThierryHenry) June 1, 2019
Spanish International
Reyes was also a Spanish international, having earned 21 caps for his country, and represented his nation at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Spain’s football federation expressed their condolences on Twitter.
“The RFEF (Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol) expresses its condolences for the death of Jose Antonio Reyes.”
La RFEF se suma a las muestras de dolor por el fallecimiento de José Antonio Reyeshttps://t.co/zclMfKeKNe pic.twitter.com/P8Q6Ct9wU8
— RFEF (@rfef) June 1, 2019
The 35-year-old footballer also played for Benfica in Portugal, before making a return to Sevilla in 2011. His last first division team in Spain was Espanyol, where he played for one season in 2016.
President of Sevilla FC Jose Castro Carmona poses with a plaque in tribute to Jose Antonio Reyes prior to the match between Sevilla FC vs FC Barcelona as part of the Spanish Super Cup Final 1st Leg at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville, Spain on Aug. 14, 2016. (Aitor Alcalde/Getty ImagesThe club also tweeted out their support.
“From RCD Espanyol we wish to express our heartfelt condolences and send all our support to the family and to those at Sevilla”, the club said.
Hoy es un día muy triste para toda la familia perica. Ha fallecido nuestro exjugador José Antonio Reyes. Desde el RCD Espanyol de Barcelona queremos expresar nuestro más sentido pésame y trasladar todo nuestro apoyo a la familia y al @SevillaFC.#RCDE | #EspanyoldeBarcelona pic.twitter.com/Qf1lW0kwrY
— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) June 1, 2019
The Spaniard was currently playing for Spanish second division side Extremadura.
On Saturday, the team tweeted news of his untimely death “with shrunken soul and broken heart,” adding: “We ask everyone to pray for his soul.”
