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ONE of the three Chapecoense players to survive has vowed to return to the field after walking for the first time since the crash.

Helio Neto was one of just six survivors of the tragic accident which claimed 71 lives.

 Helio Neto is determined to return to the field
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Helio Neto is determined to return to the fieldCredit: CEN

And in a video, the 31-year-old defender is shown walking with the help of a physio.


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Neto said: "I think I will be able to play again soon. With the help of God, I will be on the field soon with the Chapecoense shirt."

The centre-back initially had no memory of the crash and doctors chose to wait until he was mentally ready to learn of his team-mates' deaths.

 Neto was able to take his first steps since crash
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Neto was able to take his first steps since crashCredit: CEN
 Chapecoense crash survivor Neto talks to youth players who will now be in the first team
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Chapecoense crash survivor Neto talks to youth players who will now be in the first teamCredit: Reuters
 A scar is clearly visible in the back of Neto's head where he had surgery after the crash
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A scar is clearly visible in the back of Neto's head where he had surgery after the crashCredit: Reuters

The plane crashed as the Brazilian side were on their way to Medellin in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana against Atletico Nacional - the biggest game in the tiny club's history.

Another heart-warming video displayed the jerseys of the footballers while the players chant the team's name in the background.

 

Fellow crash survivor Alan Ruschel earlier revealed how a team-mate saved his life.

Ruschel, 27, made a public appearance on Wednesday at a charity game and told of how he would not be alive if it was not for Jackson Follman.

He said: “Jackson Follman calls to me and says, ‘come, sit with me’ and I went to sit next to him because it was him.

“I’ve known him since 2007, so I got out of my seat and went with him.

“At that moment I was saving my life.”

 

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