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Cape Town - A body recovered by British investigators from the submerged wreckage of a plane that went down in the English Channel has been identified as that of footballer Emiliano Sala, police said on Thursday.
The Argentine striker's body was first spotted by rescuers with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) on Sunday close to where the plane went missing near the island of Guernsey.
It was recovered on Wednesday and brought to the Isle of Portland in southern England on board the Geo Ocean III offshore supply ship on Thursday for formal identification by coroners, who investigate deaths in Britain.
The light aircraft was carrying the 28-year-old footballer to his new Premier League team Cardiff City when it disappeared near Guernsey on January 21, along with 59-year-old pilot David Ibbotson.
The football world has now reacted to the news with players such as fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero and many others sending their condolences to Sala's family and friends.
Here's how they reacted:
Sala's sister, Romina shared an emotional tribute to her brother on Friday morning saying, "Your soul in my soul it will shine forever thus illuminating the time of my existence. I love you, tito".
Club Statement (07/02/19): https://t.co/ib8zJfWzvC
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) February 7, 2019
Forever in our thoughts ??
RIP EMI ??????????
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) February 7, 2019
Enorme tristeza ?? QEDP Emiliano. Mis condolencias a familiares y amigos #PrayForSala ????//Terribly sad ?? Rest in peace, Emiliano. My condolences to his friends and family #PrayForSala ???? pic.twitter.com/n9aV5CGcI1
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) February 8, 2019
RIP Emiliano Sala. Our thoughts are with the family at this sad, sad time.
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) February 7, 2019
No words to describe how sad this is. ?? Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and also to the family of the pilot. ????? #RIPsala pic.twitter.com/Uirj6etfZk
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) February 7, 2019
RIP Emiliano Sala.
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) February 7, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.#FCPorto pic.twitter.com/Xehg73pIso
Descanza en paz ?????? pic.twitter.com/f1vPB42uvL
— Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshuayi) February 7, 2019
Emiliano Sala. #QEPD ??
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) February 8, 2019
#RIPSala ???? pic.twitter.com/izjhYHu1aA
— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) February 8, 2019
RIP hermano. ?? ?? On t’aime Emiliano Sala. Toujour dans nos coeurs. pic.twitter.com/RVmajoMa5q
— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) February 8, 2019
Rest in peace. Descansa en paz. Todas las fuerzas para la flia. all the strength for the family. pic.twitter.com/m1ZNdeVCmA
— Jonas Gutierrez (@elgalgojonas) February 7, 2019
RIP ???? pic.twitter.com/O6XBJ4vwRI
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) February 7, 2019
#LaLiga would like to extend their sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Emiliano Sala. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/RaU7yaMzvG
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) February 7, 2019
