Football world bid farewell to Jose Antonio Reyes

By Ali Murat Alhas
ANKARA (AA) – Spanish footballer Jose Antonio Reyes on Saturday passed away in a car accident in southwestern Utrera district of Seville city in Spain, according to Spanish media reports.
Various European clubs paid tribute to Reyes, 35, on their social media platforms and remembered the winger’s career that is full of trophies.
Sevilla FC, the Spanish club where Reyes made his debut in 1999/2000 season, referred to the player as one of the “most treasured products of Sevilla’s Academy”, adding the club was devastated by the death of “eternal Sevilla FC legend”.
Standing out as one the promising young prospects of early 2000s, Reyes was transferred to Arsenal FC – where he would win the Premier League title -- in the 2003/2004 season with a fee of career-high €20 million ($22.4 million).
Arsenal, in a Twitter post, said: “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… Rest in Peace, Jose.”
Spanish football club Atletico de Madrid also joined those mourning for the player, saying: “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.”
Europe's football governing body UEFA also made a statement on social media regarding Reyes’ death.
“Everyone at UEFA is shocked & hugely saddened to learn that José Antonio Reyes has died aged 35,” adding the Spanish international had won five Europa League titles.
European football giants such as Chelsea, Liverpool, Milan, Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich – along with dozens of football stars -- expressed condolences on social media.
Reyes obtained league titles while playing for Arsenal and Real Madrid; in addition, he won the European League title for five times, more than any other player in the history of the competition.
Getting closer to retiring from football, Reyes had been playing for Spanish second-tier club Extremadura since January.
In his career in the Spanish national squad, he appeared in 22 games and scored four goals.
According to the German football database website Transfermarkt, Reyes scored 96 goals and 118 assists in a total of 641 games during his career.