Pablo Zabaleta has paid tribute to fellow countryman Emiliano Sala on behalf of the West Ham United squad after the search for the missing Cardiff City player was called off.
Argentinian Sala and pilot David Ibbotson were flying from Nantes, where the striker had played for the last three-and-a-half seasons, to the Welsh capital when the plane they were in disappeared near the Channel Islands on Monday night.
Despite an extensive air and sea search and rescue operation lasting three days, no trace was found, leaving Zabaleta and his teammates shocked and saddened by their sudden and tragic disappearance.
It is a sad and emotional time and I would like to express condolences to everyone affected on behalf of the whole West Ham squad
Pablo Zabaleta
“Every player in the West Ham United dressing room has been left upset by the apparent loss of Emiliano Sala and the pilot who was bringing him to start his new life in the Premier League with Cardiff City, David Ibbotson,” said the defender.
“It’s terrible, horrible news. When you see sometimes how life can be so cruel to people, you never know, so that’s why I always say to enjoy every single minute.
“I didn’t know Emiliano personally, but I know he is a player who has been in France for his whole professional career and he has done well there. It is a dream for many footballers to have the opportunity to come to play in the strongest league in the world and he was about to realise that dream.
“Emiliano went back to France to say goodbye to everybody he knew in Nantes, then he was making his way back to Cardiff and this terrible thing happened. Of course, we were all hoping for good news, but it seems now that he and David are gone.
“From what I have been told, he was a very good lad, so it is a tragic situation and difficult for us all to take in.
“It is a sad and emotional time and I would like to express condolences to everyone affected on behalf of the whole West Ham squad.”