Six years have passed since the day José Antonio Reyes lost his life in a car accident. He was only 35, with a celebrated football career behind him and three children who saw him as the center of their universe. His eldest son, also named José Antonio, was born from his relationship with Ana López, while his two younger daughters, Noelia and Triana, were from his marriage to Noelia López. After the tragedy, both women chose to keep the children connected, despite coming from different families and living apart. They did everything possible so that the kids never felt like strangers to each other; on the contrary, they grew even closer.
Over the years, this approach has proven fruitful. The eldest son, now 18, already follows in his father’s footsteps, playing for the youth team of a Madrid club. His sisters, 13-year-old Noelia and 8-year-old Triana, happily meet their brother during holidays and school breaks. Their lives are free of jealousy or estrangement—only mutual support and genuine interest in one another. Much of this is thanks to their mothers, who not only encourage these relationships but take part in gatherings themselves, taking family photos and sharing them on social media.
Family support
A unique aspect of this story is Noelia López’s relationship with her husband’s eldest son. From the very beginning, she treated him as her own, never dividing the children into ‘hers’ and ‘others.’ When young José Antonio signed a new contract with the Madrid club, it was Noelia who first congratulated him publicly, openly expressing her pride. At her son’s coming-of-age celebration, both mothers and all the children looked like a real team, where everyone matters and is loved.
Such an atmosphere doesn’t arise on its own. It is the result of daily effort, compromise, and a shared desire to preserve the memory of someone who meant so much to all of them. Even years after the tragedy, the women continue to support each other so that the children never feel alone in this world.
Memory and traditions
The family never forgets its roots. Every September, the children and their mothers travel to Utrera—Reyes’s hometown. There, at the footballer’s monument, they gather to remember their father and share their thoughts. For them, it’s not just a formality but an important part of life that helps them stay connected to the past and to one another.
These gatherings have become a new family tradition. They not only strengthen the bonds between siblings but also give the children a sense of belonging to something greater. In moments like these, it’s especially clear that family is not just about blood but about daily effort, care, and respect.
Life after loss
The death of a loved one often tests a family’s strength. For Reyes’s children and their mothers, this ordeal became an opportunity to build new relationships founded on trust and mutual support. Although each of them leads their own life, they find time to meet, celebrate together, and support one another in important moments.
In today’s world, where families often break apart and children lose connections with relatives, this family’s example is especially inspiring. There is no place for conflicts or resentment here—only the desire to stay close and remember the person who meant the most to them.
RUSSPAIN reminds readers that José Antonio Reyes was one of the brightest Spanish footballers of his generation. He played for clubs such as Sevilla, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Atlético. Throughout his career, Reyes won numerous titles and left a lasting legacy in Spanish football history. His untimely death shocked the entire country, and his memory lives on not only among fans but also in the hearts of his family.
