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José Antonio Reyes, Former Arsenal and Real Madrid Star Dies in a Traffic Accident

Samuel Allegri
By Samuel Allegri
June 1, 2019Sports News
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José Antonio Reyes, Former Arsenal and Real Madrid Star Dies in a Traffic Accident
José Antonio Reyes of RCD Espanyol celebrates after scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and Sevilla FC at Cornella-El Prat stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on Jan. 29, 2017. (David Ramos/Getty Images)

Spanish soccer star José Antonio Reyes died along with his cousin in a car crash near Seville, Spain, while driving 120 mph as he was driving home to his wife and children, reported The Sun.

He was a star of Real Madrid and Arsenal, having had great success in the 2003-04 Premier League season.

His former club, the Sevilla FC wrote on Twitter on June 1, “We couldn’t bring a worse piece of news. Our beloved squad member José Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic accident. Rest in Peace.”

To which the captain of the National Spanish team and Real Madrid responded, “Broken. Devastated. I have no words. All the affection for the family. We will remember you forever, friend! RIP brother.”

Reyes’s cousin, Jonathan, 23, also died in the accident, while another of his cousins, Juan Manuel Calderon, suffered burns on 60 percent of his body and was taken to the hospital after the car accident around 11:40 a.m., reported Marca. Calderon is currently being treated at the hospital.

They were traveling on highway A.376 from Seville to Utrera, when the car steered off the road and ended up in flames.

The 35-year-old Spanish midfielder was enlisted in the soccer team Extremadura. He was the youngest player to debut in Sevilla FC, at only 16 years old of age. As a “gunner” (Arsenal player) he won a Premier league cup and a Community Shield in 2004, as well as an FA Cup, after goalkeeper Ricardo Lopez, he was the first Spanish national to have won the Premier League Cup in England.

He was later assigned to play in Real Madrid, where he won one League, scoring a decisive goal during the encounter with Mallorca, during the last part of the 2006-07 season.

Arsene Wegner, manager of Arsenal from 1996 to 2018 wrote on Twitter, “I am devastated to hear the terrible news about José. To his family and friends, all support from everyone in the Arsenal family. He will remain forever in our hearts.”

The Arsenal Twitter page wrote, “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,” adding, “Jose, who was part of the Invincibles team, was a hugely popular figure at our club and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Our thoughts are with all his family, friends and team-mates.”

Holland national soccer team star Robin van Persie paid tribute to Reyes, “So sad to hear about the tragic news of my former teammate José Antonio Reyes. A fabulous footballer and an even greater person. My sincere condolences to his family. RIP my friend”

Sporting Director Monchi said that “Reyes was the most innate talent to come out of the Sevilla academy.”

Chelsea FC, Manchester Utd., FC Bayern, Liverpool, among many other clubs also sent their condolences.

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