Jose Antonio Reyes’ wife finds heartbreaking note from Arsenal icon four years after his death

The wife of Jose Antonio Reyes has discovered a heartbreaking note from the Arsenal icon, four years after he died in a car crash at the age of 35.

In 2019, the forward's car was involved in a high-speed collision caused by a tyre explosion, a report into the crash concluded.

The crash killed both Reyes, who was the driver, and his cousin Jonathan. Another passenger was seriously injured.

Reyes played for both Arsenal and Sevilla throughout his professional career. Ahead of a Champions League meeting between the two clubs in Seville last month, as per The Athletic, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta presented Sevilla's president with a bouquet of flowers 'as a symbol of the two clubs' shared grief'.

We're remembering Jose Antonio Reyes on what would have been his 40th birthday ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WSfNpRHJv8

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 1, 2023

On her Instagram story (via The Sun), Reyes' wife, Noelia Lopez, revealed how she had recently found a note written by her husband.

She explained how she had recently received an order from IKEA so she could organise some boxes, before coming across one box which contained the note.

It simply read: "Happy Valentine's Day. I won't forget you even from a distance."

Lopez added: "I feel a caress every time I across a sign. Today, certain words gain more strength.

"Lately, I have had so many signs. One day, I will tell you about them."

Reyes signed for Arsenal from Sevilla in January 2004, and went on to score two goals in 13 games in their Invincible season.

The following campaign, he scored nine goals in 30 Premier League matches, before helping the Gunners to the Champions League final in his last season at the club.

His performances earned him a move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2006 before, having come through their youth system, he signed for Sevilla for a second time in 2012, spending a further four years there.

Reyes' son, Jose Antonio Reyes Lopez, signed for Real Madrid's youth academy in June 2019. The move was agreed before the ex-Arsenal forward's death.

He has represented Spain at U16 and U17 level, and signed his first professional contract with Los Blancos earlier this year after impressing in the club's B team.

On Instagram, the 16-year-old wrote: "It's a very special moment for me. I have signed my first professional contract with Real Madrid and I want to thank the club for their trust and my family for their daily support! I will continue to work and do my best to go far!"