Jose Antonio Reyes dead: Tributes paid to ‘wonderful player, superb team mate’ after fatal car crash

The 35-year-old Spaniard passed away following a car accident on Saturday

Tributes have been paid to Jose Antonio Reyes, the former Arsenal and Sevilla player, following his death at the age of 35.

The Spaniard, who played for Segunda Division side Extremadura, passed away following a car crash in Spain on Saturday.

Sevilla announced his death on Twitter. “We couldn’t be confirming worse news,” the club tweeted. “Beloved Sevilla star José Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace.”

Reyes made his first senior appearance for the La Liga club at the age of 16 in 2000, making him the youngest debutant in Sevilla’s history. During his second stint with the Andalusian side, which stretched from 2012 to 2016, he lifted three successive Europa League titles.

He made his name in the Premier League with Arsenal, joining the side in January 2004 before going on to win the title later that season as an ‘Invincible’.

Former clubs and teammates have taken to social media to pay their respects to the winger, who also enjoyed spells at Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Arsenal tweeted: “Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that our former player Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision in Spain.

“Rest in peace, Jose.”

Arsene Wenger signed Reyes for Arsenal, and he told the club on Saturday: “I am devastated to hear the terrible news about Jose.

“To his family and friends, all support from everyone in the Arsenal family. He will remain forever in our hearts.”

Other former Arsenal colleagues in the form of Freddie Ljungberg, Ray Parlour, Robert Pires and Abou Diaby shared tributes on social media too, along with current Gunners boss Unai Emery.

Ljungberg said he was “numbed by the news” about his former teammate, while Parlour described the former Spain international as a “great talent”.

Emery tweeted his condolences in Spanish that translated as: “Deeply sad and speechless after learning of this tragic news. I’ll never forget your magic and your smile Jose, never. It was an honour to be by your side...a strong hug and all the spirit of the world to family, friends and clubs he represented. RIP friend.”

Atletico Madrid tweeted: “The Atlético de Madrid family is in mourning. Our former player José Antonio Reyes has passed away. You will forever be in our hearts. Rest in peace.”

Reyes spent four years at Atletico in total and was part of the squad that won the Europa League in 2010 and 2012.

After leaving Sevilla in 2016, Reyes went on to play for Espanyol, Cordoba and Chinese side Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard before returning to Spain to join Extremadura earlier this year.

Reyes alongside his Arsenal teammates with the Premier League trophy in 2004 (Action Images via Reuters)

The second division club said in a statement on their Twitter account: “With a broken heart Extremadura UD announce the death of their player Jose Antonio Reyes in a traffic accident.”

Clubs from all over Europe have joined those paying tributes to the Spaniard.

Barcelona tweeted: “FC Barcelona wishes to express their deepest condolences for the death of footballer José Antonio Reyes, a brilliant and charismatic player; one of the most outstanding figures and with a great trajectory in football. Rest in peace.”

AS Roma said: “#ASRoma are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Spain international Jose Antonio Reyes. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this tragic time.”

AC Milan joined their fellow Italians in expressing their condolences. “It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Spanish player, José Antonio Reyes,” the club tweeted. “All our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this tragic time.”