There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.
-C.S. Lewis
Tragedy befell as news of the death of 28-year old Emiliano Sala Taffarel resonated throughout the footballing world. A former F.C. Nantes player, the Argentinian centre forward had just completed a transfer to Premier League side Cardiff City in the January transfer window for a club record fee of 15 million pounds (€18 million). However the club never got the opportunity to welcome their star signing as Sala’s plane went down on 21st January, 2019 off Alderney in the English Channel as he was on his way to Cardiff from Nantes. A three day search in the English channel was conducted over 4,400 sq.kms. This was followed by two private searches which resulted in discovery of the wreckage on 3rd February, 2019. Emiliano Sala’s corpse was recovered on the 7th. In the event of not having the opportunity to witness his game live in one of the greatest leagues in the world, we go over some of his career highlights as we mourn his tragic passing.
Born in Santa Fe, Argentina on the 31st of October 1990, Emiliano Sala played his youth football for a short spell in Argentina before moving to Portugese regional leagues. His professional career, however, kicked off with the French side Bordeaux where he made his debut in February, 2012. After a rough patch with Bordeaux in which he struggled to make the starting XI, Sala was loaned out for a couple of seasons to the Championnat National side Orleans and then the Ligue 2 side Niort. It was here that he found his rhythm, scoring 39 goals for the two sides. Although a much more promising prospect now, he still failed to gain rapport with his parent club on his return as they failed to meet his game time demands. This saw him go out on loan to Caen before making a permanent move to F.C. Nantes in 2015. Making a hundred and twenty appearances for Nantes, the striker had a successful time in front of goal scoring 42 goals and being named the club’s top goal scorer for three consecutive seasons. His prolific scoring form wooed Cardiff City into making a record bid for him, which came through and the transfer was made official. It is safe to presume that he may have been the turning point for the relegation fighting club with his clinical stature in front of goal.
The news of Emiliano’s death shook the footballing world to the core, especially every player who had ever played alongside the man. Perhaps the most notable of his former teammates, French international N’Golo Kanté who currently plays for Chelsea F.C. in the Premier League offered to personally bear the expenses to resume the search for Sala when the official search failed to yield results. The Frenchman’s gesture just goes to prove that contrary to popular belief, football is not just about the fame and the business. While there can be no consolation, our hearts go out to his family and friends in this time of grief. George Elliot once said “Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them”. And Emiliano Sala will live as long as football lives in the hearts of players and fans alike. We hope, wherever you are, you are happy and you are playing football.
-Rishav Mukherjee
The Sport Catalogue 