RIP Emiliano Sala: From Mesut Ozil to Kylian Mbappe – football world pays tribute to Cardiff City forward

In a piece of heart-breaking news for football lovers all over, the body which was said to be found in the English Channel plane wreckage has been identified as Cardiff City forward Emiliano Sala.

Sala had been en route from Nantes in western France on Jan. 21 to make his debut for Premier League team Cardiff City when the small aircraft he was traveling in disappeared over the English Channel. The single-engined Piper Malibu aircraft had crashed into the sea.

The wreckage of the plane was found on Sunday following a privately-funded underwater search. The body of the pilot – David Ibbotson – is yet to be found.

After the release of the official statement by Dorset Police regarding body identification, football fraternity started to pay tributes to the former Nantes forward.

"The body brought to Portland Port today, Thursday 7 February 2019, has been formally identified by HM Coroner for Dorset as that of professional footballer Emiliano Sala. The families of Mr Sala and the pilot David Ibbotson have been updated with this news and will continue to be supported by specially-trained family liaison officers," Dorset Police had said in an official statement.

#Update The body brought to Portland Port today has been formally identified by HM Coroner for Dorset as that of professional footballer Emiliano Sala.

The families of Mr Sala and pilot David Ibbotson have been updated. Our thoughts remain with them all

https://t.co/YpVTvaEt7P

— Dorset Police (@dorsetpolice) February 7, 2019

Cardiff City also issued a statement after the Dorset Police officially confirmed the news. "We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano. He and David will forever remain in our thoughts," the Premier League club stated.

Club Statement (07/02/19): https://t.co/ib8zJfWzvC

Forever in our thoughts 

— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) February 7, 2019

His former club aslo tweeted saying, "Because Emiliano Sala will never be part of the legends that have written the great history of FC Nantes, the number 9 he has worn is withdrawn."

Parce qu'Emiliano Sala fera à jamais partie des légendes qui ont écrit la grande histoire du FC Nantes, le numéro qu'il a porté est retiré.#RIPSala pic.twitter.com/XFIVCVBFx7

— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) February 8, 2019

Fifa also extended their sincerest condolences to Sala's friends and family.

FIFA and the whole football community are deeply saddened about the death of Emiliano Sala. FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino would like to extend their sincerest condolences to his friends and family. Our thoughts are also with the family of pilot David Ibbotson pic.twitter.com/U2bBV7cb36

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) February 8, 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,” wrote Argentine striker Sergio Aguero.

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

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

#RIPSala  pic.twitter.com/izjhYHu1aA

— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) February 8, 2019

RIP EMI 

— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) February 7, 2019

 pic.twitter.com/NwDe24U3Qs

— Benjamin Mendy (@benmendy23) February 7, 2019

May he rest in peace #EmilianoSala pic.twitter.com/VLhbA7tees

— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) February 8, 2019

This is truly sad news, rest in peace Emiliano Sala #RIPSala pic.twitter.com/bDIStJryir

— Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23) February 8, 2019

RIP @EmilianoSala1 
Forever in our thoughts #CardiffCityFC pic.twitter.com/Jzx9mv2aD6

— Oumar Niasse (@niassebayeoumar) February 7, 2019

RIP Emiliano Sala  pic.twitter.com/JYpmL4zQu4

— Ruben Loftus-Cheek (@rubey_lcheek) February 8, 2019

Rest in peace Emiliano Sala . My thoughts and prayers go out to your friends and family  pic.twitter.com/KaoY4iu8CW

— Aaron Ramsey (@aaronramsey) February 8, 2019

My condolences to the family and friends of Emiliano Sala. Such sad news. RIP. pic.twitter.com/Iqjrl4V2r8

— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) February 8, 2019

RIP  pic.twitter.com/T8kgKKheqP

— corentin (@CorentinTolisso) February 7, 2019

RIP pic.twitter.com/O6XBJ4vwRI

— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) February 7, 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 Emiliano Sala.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.#FCPorto pic.twitter.com/Xehg73pIso

— FC Porto (@FCPorto) February 7, 2019

RIP hermano.  On t’aime Emiliano Sala. Toujour dans nos coeurs. pic.twitter.com/RVmajoMa5q

— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) February 8, 2019

Descanza en paz  pic.twitter.com/f1vPB42uvL

— Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshuayi) February 7, 2019

RIP Emiliano Sala. Our thoughts are with the family at this sad, sad time.

— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) February 7, 2019

Many clubs also came forward to extend their condolences.

Rest in peace, Emiliano.  pic.twitter.com/WmJrCuwg0x

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 8, 2019

Gone but never forgotten.

Rest in peace, Emiliano Sala.#HeroISL pic.twitter.com/4OP8NAaDsR

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 8, 2019

May you rest in peace Emiliano Sala.#KeralaBlasters #Sala #RIPSala pic.twitter.com/g9EyW7mZtN

— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) February 8, 2019

Gure doluminak Emiliano Sala zenaren senide eta gertukoei (1990-2019). Goian bego.

— Athletic Club (@athletic_eus) February 8, 2019

Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of Emiliano Sala, and with everyone at @FCNantes and @CardiffCityFC

May you rest in peace, Emiliano  pic.twitter.com/7gfnEGvEle

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) February 8, 2019

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family and friends of Emiliano Sala.

Rest in peace, Emiliano. #RIPEmiliano pic.twitter.com/DS1ktCsdqL

— Everton (@Everton) February 8, 2019

Sala had scored 12 goals for Nantes, who are currently placed 15th in the Ligue 1 standings. Cardiff who are struggling in the Premier League had signed the young striker to bring in some lethal attack in front of the goal.

The £15m transfer fee agreed for Sala beats the £11m transfer of Chile international Gary Medel in 2013.