Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport

The grieving sister of tragic plan crash victim Emiliano Sala has posted an emotional message saying she misses him “more than ever” as “everybody is ill” in the coronavirus crisis.

Former striker Sala, 28, died in a plane accident on 21st January 2019 as he was en route to being unveiled as a Cardiff City player and his body was later pulled from the English Channel on 7th February of 2019.

Sala’s sister Romina Sala has posted an emotional message dedicated to the former Nantes striker saying: “These days when everybody is ill, I remember you more than ever. You are not here. Life already took you.

“The only thing that comes to mind is the certainty of my phone ringing three times a day, repeating the words that beg me to take care of myself. ‘Take care of yourself, I’m begging you’”.

Romina was reportedly referring to the COVID-19 pandemic devastating countries across the globe.

She went on to say: “That voice does not sound on any phone today but is still heard. ‘Take care of yourself Gorda’, like you used to call me. ‘Take care of Augus, be patient.’ And a thousand stories that help me tell the difference between loneliness and isolation.

Gorda translates to “fat” in English but is used as a term of affection in several Spanish-speaking countries.

“Sometimes I pick up the phone just to see if it works. Yes, of course it works, but you are not on the other end to tell me to take care of myself.

“To tell me to not go out. To kiss my forehead from a distance saying ‘take care, sis’. I miss you Emi. I wish you were here so I could take care of you all the times that I did not before.

“I feel no guilt, just the want. But that is worse. Guilt has a solution, you just turn a screw. But the want to see you is always going to remain. Unsatisfied.

“That is a part of life I learned will never happen. I am not crying. I have your memory and the sound of your voice intact.

“That is why I smile. That is why I take care of myself. That is why I continue forward. That is why.”

Sala died in a plane accident on 21st January 2019. His body was later pulled from the English Channel on 7th February of 2019.

The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.