Mercedes said she used to go over to France every year to celebrate Sala’s birthday on October 31 and stay with him, bringing with her ingredients for traditional Argentinian dishes such as empanadas.

“He (Sala) was shy, but he would always stop, open the windows and start signing autographs and taking selfies,” said Mercedes.

“All those fans, today, are the ones that I want to thank, because they are still sending me pictures I had never seen before.

“I receive so much stuff from France, from England, from the rest of Argentina.”

Dario spoke of how tight-knit a unit they were while Mercedes said she would speak with Sala as often as two or three times a day.

Mercedes says she had never recovered from the death of her eldest son.

“I can’t say I found peace, unfortunately,” she said. “I’m still fighting.

“I am practically dead while living. It’s been a terrible, terrible year. I loved him so much. I would tell him every day… what a son he was.”

Cardiff issued a statement encouraging fans to lay bouquets and scarves by the statue of Fred Keenor – the captain of their 1927 FA Cup winning team.

“All of our thoughts are with the family and friends of Emiliano Sala and (pilot) David Ibbotson,” said a club statement on behalf of the owner Vincent Tan and the board.

“The pain they have been through over the last 12 months must be indescribable.”

Among the many bouquets, shirts and banners left was an Argentinian flag laid next to the statue, with the name ‘Sala’ written on it.