The Cardiff City striker's aunt wept as his body arrived in Argentina for the funeral at his boyhood football club
FOOTBALLER Emiliano Sala's heartbroken family broke down in tears ahead of his funeral today.
The 28-year-old Cardiff City striker's body was flown home to Argentina for the service which is to be held at the club he played for as a child.
Sala had signed for the Bluebirds in a club-record move from Nantes last month, but was killed when the private plane carrying him crash-landed in the English Channel. He was 28
Sala tragically died along with pilot David Ibbotson just two days after joining the Premier League club when their single-engine aircraft crash-landed in the English Channel on January 21.
The plane had requested to descend then lost contact with Jersey air traffic control.
After an official search was axed, a £324,000 private one found the plane on February 3. Sala's body was recovered three days later.
Mr Ibbotson remains missing.
Sala's body was driven from Buenos Aires airport to Progreso, around 334 miles northwest of the Argentine capital, for the service today.
A public vigil, expected to last for several hours, will be held in the gymnasium of Sala's boyhood club San Martin de Progreso, where he played until he was 15.
The club posted an emotional tribute on Facebook earlier this week, saying: "We are waiting for you...like the first day you left but this time to stay with us forever.
"You went and you are an example for everyone. Eternally in our hearts."
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock and chief executive Ken Choo will both attend the funeral.
Nantes, for whom Sala scored 42 goals in 120 league appearances, will be represented by the defender Nicolas Pallois and general secretary Loic Morin.
An inquest on Monday heard Sala was killed by head and upper body injuries.
They were caused by the impact of his light aircraft plunging into the Channel.
The Bournemouth inquest was adjourned.
Once probes by crash experts and aviation chiefs end, a November 6 review will pave the way for the case to resume.
Meanwhile, the family of Mr Ibbotson have spoken of their determination to find and recover the body of the man they described as “our rock”.
The dad-of-three Mr Ibbotson, from Scunthorpe, told pals he was feeling "a bit rusty" just days before the doomed aircraft vanished.
His wife Nora said: "We just know we can’t leave him out there on his own until we have tried to do everything we can".
Half of a £300,000 target has been raised for a private search.
Emiliano Sala was Cardiff City's record signing
The Brazilian volleyball player who claims she had a secret relationship with Emiliano Sala before plane crash
The doomed flight was found on the seabed about 24 miles north of Guernsey at a depth of 206ft
Sala, 28, was a Cardiff City club-record signing when he transferred from French side Nantes
Emiliano Sala in a touching picture he posted to Instagram with his mum
Emiliano Sala poses with his Cardiff shirt after signing for the club
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