Mourners have arrived wearing "Emi" number 9 shirts in tribute to the tragic Cardiff City striker.
The Premier League ace, who was killled in a plane crash along with pilot David Ibbotson, is being laid to rest at a service at his hometown club in Argentina.
Sala's heartbroken aunt, Mirta Taffarel, sobbed as his body arrived in Argentina yesterday.
A memorial service is being held at a gym next to Sala's boyhood club San Martin de Progreso, where he played until he was 15.
TRIBUTES PAID
Sala's body was driven from Buenos Aires airport to Progreso, around 334 miles northwest of the Argentine capital, for the service today.
San Martin de Progreso posted an emotional tribute on Facebook earlier this week, saying: "We are waiting for you…like the first day you left but this time to stay with us forever.
"You went and you are an example for everyone. Eternally in our hearts."
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock and chief executive Ken Choo will both attend the funeral.
Nantes, for whom Sala scored 42 goals in 120 league appearances, will be represented by the defender Nicolas Pallois and general secretary Loic Morin.
SALA KILLED BY HEAD AND UPPER BODY INJURIES
An inquest on Monday heard Sala was killed by head and upper body injuries.
They were caused by the impact of his light aircraft plunging into the Channel.
The striker was identified by fingerprints.
The Bournemouth inquest was adjourned.
Once probes by crash experts and aviation chiefs end, a November 6 review will pave the way for the case to resume.
Meanwhile, the family of Mr Ibbotson have spoken of their determination to find and recover the body of the man they described as “our rock”.
The dad-of-three Mr Ibbotson, from Scunthorpe, told pals he was feeling "a bit rusty" just days before the doomed aircraft vanished.
His wife Nora said: "We just know we can’t leave him out there on his own until we have tried to do everything we can".
Half of a £300,000 target has been raised for a private search.
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