Here is exhibit 1,503,340 on why soccer is the beautiful game.
Emiliano Sala left FC Nantes to become Cardiff City’s most expensive signing ever on Jan. 19. Sala never played for Cardiff City, as his plane disappeared on his way back to Cardiff after saying goodbye to his teammates in France.
Sala is presumed dead along with the pilot, the only other passenger on the plane. On Wednesday, seat cushions thought to be from the plane were found, the first evidence found of the crash.
In Nantes’ first home match since Jan. 13, the fans at the Stade de la Beaujoire put on a tremendous Emiliano Sala tribute on Wednesday.
The fans displayed a magnificent tifo. The Argentine’s face was placed on a giant banner at midfield. The national flag of Argentina was displayed on one end.
The Stade de la Beaujoire pays tribute to Emiliano Sala ahead of @FCNantes' first home game since the striker's disappearance.
Watch the game in full LIVE on beIN SPORTS
CONNECT: https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/A7aAuuG2bv— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 30, 2019
Nantes players then joined together to say one last tribute to Sala before taking the pitch, with the club promising to play for Emi.
MORE THAN A GAME
@FCNantes players remember former teammate Emiliano Sala before returning to @Ligue1_ENG action. pic.twitter.com/pqa0z2d2Sf— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 30, 2019
In the ninth minute, the referee halted the match to as the fans applauded their former player, who wore No. 9 for Nantes.
Nous n'oublierons jamais ce numéro #FCNASSE | #PlayForSala pic.twitter.com/06SgSg0bns
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) January 30, 2019
Here are some more images of the Emiliano Sala tribute in Nantes:
Notre guerrier pour toujours #FCNASSE | #PlayForSala pic.twitter.com/TYTkhKfc96
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) January 30, 2019
“Our warrior forever.”
Nantes fans sing in tribute to Emiliano Sala at their game vs Saint Etienne tonight. pic.twitter.com/6kW9ih8QqU
— OnlyOneCardiffCity (@OnlyOneCardiff) January 30, 2019
Nantes’ opponent on Wednesday, Saint-Etienne, wore “Pray for Sala” shirts during warm-ups.
Merci, @ASSEofficiel #FCNASSE | #PlayForSala pic.twitter.com/LcCu36obMD
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) January 30, 2019
More than a game. pic.twitter.com/g6AS5oeiXJ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 30, 2019
The soccer world — particularly in Europe — has taken time to honor Sala before (and during) matches in the last week. But this was without a doubt the most touching Emiliano Sala tribute.
It certainly beats the tone-deaf SNL sketch on Saturday, which joked about a plane crashing in the UK.
The Ligue 1 match, by the way, ended 1-1, with both clubs having a man sent off in a scoreless first half followed by a goal from each side in the second half.
| TERMINÉ
Solides mentalement, les Jaune et Vert arrachent le match nul en guerriers ce soir... Comme Emiliano, pour Emiliano- #FCNASSE | #PlayForSala pic.twitter.com/Pw5KRWJfcP
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) January 30, 2019
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