'I will be very proud of you daddy': Arsenal star Jose Antonio Reyes' son, 11, shares a heart-breaking tribute to his father following the footballer's death in a '120mph' fireball crash in his Mercedes

  • Jose Antonio Reyes' eldest son has penned emotional tribute to his father after his shock car crash death
  • Former Arsenal star Jose Antonio Reyes died after he was involved in collision in Utrera, near Seville, Spain
  • Had three children; daughters Noelia and Triana and son Jose Antonio Jr and was married to Noelia Lopez
  • His wife posted a touching photo of Reyes on their wedding anniversary just days before footballer's death 
  • Reyes's 23-year-old cousin, Jonathan Reyes, also died in the crash and a the third occupant suffered burns 

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Jose Antonio Reyes' 11-year-old son has penned an emotional tribute to his father after his shock car crash death on Saturday.

The former Arsenal and Real Madrid Arsenal star's eldest child with former partner Ana Lopez, Jose Antonio Reyes Jr., posted a picture of his father with his arm around him alongside a message in Spanish which read: 'This is the last moment we spent together dad.

'That day you gave me advice as always, but today you have gone and are not coming back and it is a very difficult day for me.

'I was and always will be very proud of you daddy.

Jose Antonio Reyes' eldest son, Jose Antonio Reyes Jr., posted an emotional tribute to his father alongside a message in Spanish which read: 'This is the last moment we spent together dad. That day you gave me advice as always, but today you have gone and are not coming back and it is a very difficult day for me. I was and always will be very proud of you daddy'

Jose Antonio Reyes' eldest son, Jose Antonio Reyes Jr., posted an emotional tribute to his father alongside a message in Spanish which read: 'This is the last moment we spent together dad. That day you gave me advice as always, but today you have gone and are not coming back and it is a very difficult day for me. I was and always will be very proud of you daddy'

Former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Jose Antonio Reyes (pictured playing for Arsenal's Invincibles team in 2004 ) died in a car crash
Reyes is pictured playing for his most recent club Extremadura in March

The former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Jose Antonio Reyes died in a car crash at the age of 35. Reyes, who was part of Arsenal's 2004 Invincibles team (pictured left in 2004 and right for most recent club Extremadura in March), was involved in a traffic collision in Utrera, the town of his birth located just outside of Seville, in Spain this morning

Last night a video began to surface on social media of Reyes embracing his daughters Noelia, five, and Triana, two

Last night a video began to surface on social media of Reyes embracing his daughters Noelia, five, and Triana, two

The heartbreaking video showed the footballer lifting daughters Noelia, five, and Triana, two into his arms and beaming at them

The heartbreaking video showed the footballer lifting daughters Noelia, five, and Triana, two into his arms and beaming at them

Reyes, who joined Arsenal in January 2004, leaves behind daughters, Noelia, five, and Triana, two, and  son Jose Antonio Jr

Reyes, who joined Arsenal in January 2004, leaves behind daughters, Noelia, five, and Triana, two, and  son Jose Antonio Jr

The footballer was seen beaming with joy as he embraced his children
The video began to emerge shortly after Reyes' death on Saturday

The footballer was seen beaming with joy as he embraced his children upon his return home. The video began to emerge shortly after the footballer's death just before midday on Saturday when his Mercedes Brabus S550V went off the A-376 motorway near the town of Alcala de Guadaira close to Seville.

'We didn't spend all the time we would have liked to together but only you and I know how much we loved each other.

'I know you will look after me from Heaven and I am never going to forget you. I love you dad.'

The footballer's eldest child added: 'Thanks to everyone for the messages of support I'm receiving.'

Following the heartbreaking message well-wishers responded by offering the 11-year-old their condolences.

One said: 'Stay strong. Your father always had a smile that rubbed off on everyone around him.

'He will always watch over you from Heaven and he would want to see his son happy as you were when you were together.

'Now more than ever you must show him who you are and that you can go very far in life and make him feel proud of you.'

Jimena Cayetana added: 'You have and will have the satisfaction of having a great man as your father. A big hug.'

Reyes, who joined Arsenal in January 2004 and was part of the Invincibles side that went through the 2003-2004 season unbeaten and won the Premier League, died just before midday on Saturday when his Mercedes Brabus S550V went off the A-376 motorway near the town of Alcala de Guadaira close to Seville.

The vehicle is thought to have hit some concrete blocks by the side of the motorway before flipping over and bursting into flames.

His cousin Jonathan Reyes, 23, a back seat passenger, also died along with a third man called Juan Manuel Calderon who managed to get out of the vehicle but suffered first degree burns to 60 per cent of his body that ended up claiming his life after he was rushed to Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville.    

Noelia Lopez, the wife of former Arsenal star Jose Antonio Reyes, posted a touching message about her partner just days before his death

Noelia Lopez, the wife of former Arsenal star Jose Antonio Reyes, posted a touching message about her partner just days before his death

Reyes' Mercedes S Class, pictured, was completely destroyed after it rolled over and burst into flames after leaving the road

Reyes' Mercedes S Class, pictured, was completely destroyed after it rolled over and burst into flames after leaving the road

The accident happened at 11.45am as Reyes and his two passengers were returning from a training session at Extremadura, the club he was playing for, to his home in his native Utrera near Seville.

Utrera has declared two days of official mourning.

The town hall said in a statement: 'This morning Utrera-born Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic accident on the A-376.

'Another relative of Jose Antonio's has also died.

'Jose Antonio has been a much-loved person in our town since the start of his footballing career with Seville Football Club, always carrying the flag for Utrera.'

Utrera's mayor Jose Maria Villalobos said he felt 'overwhelmed by this sad news and the fact a young person with a family has had his life taken away from him.'

The poignant message left by the footballer's son comes after a heartbreaking video began to surface on social media last night of Reyes with his daughters Noelia, five, and Triana, two, following the two months he spent playing in China.

The video featured the footballer surprising his children with his return home before lifting them into the air and embracing them. 

Reyes leaves behind daughters, Noelia, five, and Triana, two, and a son, 11-year-old Jose Antonio Jr, from a previous relationship

Reyes leaves behind daughters, Noelia, five, and Triana, two, and a son, 11-year-old Jose Antonio Jr, from a previous relationship

It is reported one of of the other people in the car, his 23-year-old cousin, also died while the third occupant suffered burns. Above: Reyes and Ms Lopez at their wedding

 It is reported one of of the other people in the car, his 23-year-old cousin, also died while the third occupant suffered burns. Above: Reyes and Ms Lopez at their wedding

Confirming the news on Twitter, former club Sevilla said: 'We couldn't be confirming worse news. Beloved Sevilla star Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace'. Above: Reyes and his wife among guests at their wedding

Confirming the news on Twitter, former club Sevilla said: 'We couldn't be confirming worse news. Beloved Sevilla star Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace'. Above: Reyes and his wife among guests at their wedding

Yesterday the wife of the football star posted a touching photo of the two of them on their eight anniversary just five days before his death in a fiery car crash at the age of 35.    

Just five days before the tragedy, Noelia Lopez called her husband her 'love' and described their relationship as one 'where you do not ask for anything but are given everything'.

The former Spanish international was reportedly on his way home to his wife and three children after training, having not been picked by current club Extremadura to play against Cádiz tomorrow. 

He leaves behind daughters, Noelia, five, and Triana, two, and a son, 11-year-old Jose Antonio Jr, from a previous relationship. 

The former Spanish international was reportedly on his way home to his wife and three children after training, having not been picked by current club Extremadura to play against Cádiz tomorrow

The former Spanish international was reportedly on his way home to his wife and three children after training, having not been picked by current club Extremadura to play against Cádiz tomorrow

Spanish police said they believe Reyes was driving his Mercedes Brabus S550V at 120 miles per hour - some 50mph over the speed limit on the A-376 motorway near Alcala de Guadaira, outside Seville. 

The car was completely burned out after it crashed from the motorway and ended up on its roof. 

Reyes' wife Noelia Lopez doesn't have a high profile in Spain, preferring to keep away from the spotlight of her footballing husband.

They married in June 2017 in a ceremony at Virgen de la Consolacion church in his hometown of Utrera.

In the caption of the Instagram post celebrating their anniversary, she said: 'When you do not ask for anything and they give you everything.

Above: images from the scene of the crash in Utrera  show the burnt-out car flipped on its roof by the side of the road

Above: images from the scene of the crash in Utrera  show the burnt-out car flipped on its roof by the side of the road

The sports car was reduced to a crumpled heap after the horror smash near the Premier League-winning star's hometown

The sports car was reduced to a crumpled heap after the horror smash near the Premier League-winning star's hometown

'I understood that everyone is where they want to be and who they want to be with. Happy 8 years my love.'    

Reyes' Mercedes is said to have gone off the motorway before overturning and going up in flames.

TV footage showed the charred wreck of the car on its roof. 

Utrera has declared two days of official mourning.   

A minute's silence will be observed at tonight's Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham as a mark of respect to Reyes, who was the first Spaniard to win the Premier League. 

Images reportedly from the scene of the crash show a car flipped on its roof lying in a ditch on the side of the road while another shows black smoke filling the air.

A statement from Sevilla's English Twitter account read: 'We couldn't be confirming worse news. Beloved Sevilla star Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace.'

He had been playing in the Spanish second-tier since January after signing a five-month deal with Extremadura.   

Reyes, who won 21 caps for Spain, started his career with hometown club Sevilla and made his first team debut at the age of 16. 

The car was towed away on the back of a truck after it was pulled from the side of the motorway earlier on Saturday

The car was towed away on the back of a truck after it was pulled from the side of the motorway earlier on Saturday

Reyes and his 23-year-old cousin Jonathan Reyes were killed in the accident. A third man, Juan Manuel Calderon, managed to crawl free from the wreckage but later died from his injuries

Reyes and his 23-year-old cousin Jonathan Reyes were killed in the accident. A third man, Juan Manuel Calderon, managed to crawl free from the wreckage but later died from his injuries 

All seven second division games due to be played at the club have been postponed and will instead be played on Tuesday.  

After leaving Seville for the first time, Reyes signed for Arsenal during the 2003-04 'Invincibles' campaign for around £15million.

He went on to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield. He was the first Spaniard to win the English title.

Arsene Wenger, who was in charge of Arsenal from 1996 until 2018 and was boss during Reyes's time at the club, paid tribute to the Spaniard today. 

'I am devastated to hear the terrible news about Jose,' he said in a statement released by Arsenal. 

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

Cesc Fabregas, who was Reyes's teammate at Arsenal, said in a translated statement: 'My first great friend in the world of professional football, my roommate, who always wanted to sleep with the air conditioning even at -10 degrees. 

'A humble guy who always had a smile on his face, great footballer and great person. I could not wake up today in a worse way.

Spanish police are investigating the cause of the accident, although the car was believed to be speeding when it left the road

Spanish police are investigating the cause of the accident, although the car was believed to be speeding when it left the road

Former Arsenal star Jose Antonio Reyes is pictured at the wheel of a car in an image he posted to his Instagram account

Former Arsenal star Jose Antonio Reyes is pictured at the wheel of a car in an image he posted to his Instagram account

'I will never forget when you and your family welcomed me at your home in my first Christmas in England when I was alone and was 16 years old. 

'I will never forget our tennis football matches in the gym before and after workouts. Our connection in the field was also special, since it was always easy to find yourself between the lines so you could make the difference.

'I always say that you have been one of the greatest talents in football and I know that I am not wrong. 

'2 days ago I was talking about you in an interview, it might be a sign, who knows, to remember you, my great friend. 

'I will never forget you, we will never forget you. Always in our hearts. Rest in peace Jose Antonio Reyes. Love you very much. Cesc.'

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.'

Cesc Fabregas, who was Reyes's teammate at Arsenal (pictured together at the club), said paid tribute to his 'first great friend in the world of professional football'

Cesc Fabregas, who was Reyes's teammate at Arsenal (pictured together at the club), said paid tribute to his 'first great friend in the world of professional football'

Reyes' former teammate Sergio Aguero (pictured holding the Uefa Cup together) said he was in 'a lot of pain' after the death of his 'very good friend and partner' with whom he 'shared great moments'

Reyes' former teammate Sergio Aguero (pictured holding the Uefa Cup together) said he was in 'a lot of pain' after the death of his 'very good friend and partner' with whom he 'shared great moments'

Arsene Wenger, who was in charge of Arsenal from 1996 until 2018 and was boss during Reyes's time at the club (pictured signing for the club), said the Spaniard 'will remain forever in our hearts'

Arsene Wenger, who was in charge of Arsenal from 1996 until 2018 and was boss during Reyes's time at the club (pictured signing for the club), said the Spaniard 'will remain forever in our hearts'

Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham, meanwhile, paid their respects, tweeting: 'All of our thoughts are with Jose's friends and family, and everyone at Arsenal at this very difficult time.'

Arsenal fans the world over mourned the news of Reyes' passing, with @gunnerblog leading the fan reaction online.

'This is such desperately sad news,' he wrote.

Reyes left north London to return to Spain with Real Madrid on loan before joining their rivals Atletico Madrid on a permanent deal in 2007, where he went on to win the Europa League twice.

He returned to Sevilla in 2012 and then represented Espanyol, Cordoba and Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard in China before signing for Extremadura in January. Reyes' final match was a 1-0 win at Alcorcon on May 18 and his team were due to play on Sunday against Cadiz but that been postponed until Tuesday.

The father-of-three footballer is pictured kissing the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League final with Sevilla in b2016

The father-of-three footballer is pictured kissing the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League final with Sevilla in b2016

Reyes signed for Arsenal during the 2003-04 season and went on to win the Premier League

Reyes signed for Arsenal during the 2003-04 season and went on to win the Premier League

He leaves behind three children; daughters Noelia and Triana, son Jose Antonio Jr and wife Noelia Lopez, who he married in June 2017. Above: Reyes and Ms Lopez on their wedding day

He leaves behind three children; daughters Noelia and Triana, son Jose Antonio Jr and wife Noelia Lopez, who he married in June 2017. Above: Reyes and Ms Lopez on their wedding day

Extremadura paid tribute to Reyes in a tweet, saying: 'With a shrunken soul and a broken heart we announced the death of Jose Antonio Reyes in a traffic accident. We pray for his soul.'

Reyes holds the record for the player with the most Europa League titles. He won the competition twice with Atletico and three times with Sevilla.

Former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry led the tributes on social media, describing Reyes as an 'exceptional human being'. 

The Frenchman wrote: 'I'm devastated to hear the sad news about Jose 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'.

BT Sport presented Gary Lineker also tweeted, saying: 'How terribly sad. RIP'. 

Arsenal also paid homage to their former player, tweeting: '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'. 

North London rivals Tottenham, who are due to play in the Champions League final against Liverpool on Saturday night, also paid their respects.

They tweeted: 'We are all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jose Antonio Reyes. All of our thoughts are with Jose's friends and family, and everyone at Arsenal at this very difficult time.'

European governing body UEFA also tweeted a tribute to Reyes. It read: 'Everyone at UEFA is shocked & hugely saddened to learn that José Antonio Reyes has died aged 35. A Spanish international with 5 Europa League titles, Reyes will be sorely missed by the football world. Our thoughts are with his family & friends at this terrible time.'

Barcelona wrote: 'We want to express their deepest condolences for the death of footballer Jose Antonio Reyes, a brilliant and charismatic player; one of the most outstanding figures and with a longer trajectory of our football. Rest in peace.'

Spanish midfielder Borja Valero simply tweeted 'RIP' with heart emoji alongside a black and white picture of Reyes. 

Former Atletico colleague and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero wrote: 'Moved by the death of José Antonio Reyes, a very good friend and partner with whom I shared great moments. A lot of pain. My condolences and all my support to your relatives'

A 20-year-old Reyes poses on an older Mercedes after signing for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal in 2004 from Sevilla

A 20-year-old Reyes poses on an older Mercedes after signing for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal in 2004 from Sevilla

His most recent club, Extremadura, paid tribute to Reyes as they confirmed his death

His most recent club, Extremadura, paid tribute to Reyes as they confirmed his death

Reyes left north London to return to Spain with Real Madrid on loan in 2006
He then joined Atletico in 2007 and won two Europa League titles there

Reyes played for both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid during his illustrious playing career

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Arsenal star Jose Antonio Reyes’s wife posted a touching photo just days before his death

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