'No, Diego, don't tell me that': Wife of Argentine sports journalist finds out her husband died in a car crash after football manager Diego Simeone sends her his condolences on Twitter

The wife of a sports journalist who died in a car crash while covering the World Cup in Brazil only learned of her loss when a football boss sent her his condolences on Twitter.
After hearing of the death of Jorge 'El Topo' Lopez, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone tweeted that he was 'not only a great journalist' but 'also a friend'.
But the Atletico boss was apparently unaware that Mr Lopez's wife, Veronica Brunati, had not heard of the tragedy. 'No. Diego, don't tell me that,' she responded. 'Please, someone call me.'

Mistake: Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone inadvertently told Jorge 'El Topo' Lopez's wife of the news

Memory: Veronica Brunati changed her profile picture to this with her husband Lopez the day after

The tweet: Simeone says Lopez was 'not only a great journalist' but 'also a friend' as he includes @verobrunati

First reaction: Brunati tweets Simeone back, simply saying 'no' after reading his first tweet

Distraught: Brunati appears devastated as she tweets Simeone back trying to find out more

Desperate: Brunati appeals for more information about her husband after reading Simeone's tweet

Devastated: Lopez's wife Brunati was left distraught at the news of her husband's death in Brazil

Simeone, who won the La Liga title with Atletico last season, tweeted: 'He was not only a great journalist, he was also a friend. Much pain. My condolences to @verobrunati and family. RIP Jorge 'Topo' Lopez.'

Ms Brunati, replying directly, first simply wrote 'no', before going on to say: 'Diego, don't tell me that. Please, someone call me. I'm in a hotel in San Pablo in the Quality.'

The day after Lopez's death, Ms Brunati changed her profile picture on Twitter to her and her husband.

Among those leading the tributes to Lopez was Lionel Messi who dedicated dedicated Argentina's win against the Netherlands last night to the reporter.

'Big hug to all the Argentina fans and a very special memory for Jorge 'Topo' Lopez,' wrote Messi, who was selected for random drug testing after they won 4-2 on penalties.

'This victory is especially for you, my friend. A big hug to the family, lots of strength.'

Tragic: Lopez tweeted this selfie the day before he was killed in a car crash in Sao Paulo

Friends: Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Lopez pose for a photo together

On duty: Lopez was in Brazil following Argentina for the 2014 World Cup, as they reach the final

Proud: Lopez tweeted this picture of him and Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano before the car crash

Mistake: Simeone tweeted that he was in 'much pain' after hearing of Lopez's death in Sao Paulo

Lopez, 38, was killed on Wednesday morning when a taxi he was travelling in on the way back to his hotel was hit by a stolen car being chased by police.

Sport, an organisation Lopez joined in 2000, called it 'one of the saddest days in our 35-year history' after hearing of the news.
FIFA also paid tribute to the journalist, with head of media Delia Fischer saying they 'would like to send our sincerest condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of Argentine journalist, Jorge Lopez'.
Messi and Argentina face Germany in the World Cup final at the Maracana on Sunday.

DM