LALIGA footballer David Cordon has paid an emotional tribute to his father after it was confirmed he is among the 43 people known to have died so far in Sunday’s high-speed train crash in Spain.
The 18-year-old Getafe left-back – nicknamed Davinchi – had posted a message on Instagram hours after the tragedy when his dad was still missing, saying alongside a photo of Jesus: “Christ, I place my faith and my will in you: whatever happens, I believe in you and your eternal love.”
Overnight he updated his social media as his club confirmed the death of the defender’s 50-year-old father, also called David Cordon and a former player for Spain’s beach football team.
He wrote along family photos of them when they were younger, saying he knew Jesus and the Virgin Mary were by his side and would guide him throughout his life.
The message read: “You will fill me with strength in moments of difficulty, and I will always remember what you used to tell us: always happy and forward.
“Everything I do in this life will always be for the brightest star I have in the sky.
CASE RE-OPENED
Abandoned 34500-seater stadium finally set for redevelopment
DONN & DUSTED
Agent admits Donnarumma eyeing up Italy return just months after City move
“As I was once told, ‘When the road gets tough, only the tough make the journey’.
“You were always a fighter and taught me that from the very first moment.
“That’s the greatest act of love I can do for you: show you that I can handle anything and that I’ll never give up. I love you, Dad.”
Getafe said in its own statement: “We are deeply sorry to confirm the news we never wanted to publish.
“We are overcome with grief at the passing of David Cordon Cano, father of our player ‘Davinchi’ in the tragic accident in Adamuz in Cordoba.
“We met you seven months ago, and very quickly you won us over with your simplicity, warmth, and generosity. We’ll miss you a lot! Rest in peace, dear friend.”
The footballer’s father, who also played 11-a-side football for the likes of Sevilla, had travelled to Madrid at the weekend to watch his son’s team play against Valencia although the teenager is currently injured and didn’t feature in the match.
He was on his way back to his home city of Huelva in south-west Spain when his train crashed into another heading to the Spanish capital which had derailed 20 seconds earlier.
Davinchi had posted his initial social message after struggling to discover what had happened to him, with local reports overnight saying the family had mistakenly been told Mr Cordon was among the survivors and had been hospitalised.
The footballer missed a training session on Monday so he could focus on the search for his dad.
Getafe wrote on X just after midday on Monday when it was still unclear what had happened to the player’s dad: “In light of the information published regarding the father of our player David Cordon ‘Davinchi’, we ask for the utmost respect, prudence and solidarity.
“We remain hopeful in our hearts. Thank you all for your understanding.”
Spanish authorities have so far confirmed the deaths of 43 people in one of the worst rail tragedies in the country’s history, although this is not a definitive death toll.
Four members of the same family who travelled to the Spanish capital to see Real Madrid play against Levante are among those known to have died.
A newspaper in Huelva referred to Davinchi’s dad in an article published a few years ago as one of the best sportsmen the city had ever produced.
He spent six years playing for Spain’s national beach football side, helping his country achieve two World Cup runner-up titles in 2003 and 2004 as well as two European Championships.
Like his son he played as a left-back for the likes of Atletico Madrid B and Sevilla before turning to beach football.
Read the full article here
