Colombia plane crash: Neymar, Barcelona and Real Madrid pay respects to 71 dead including Chapecoense footballers
NEYMAR and Lionel Messi led the heart-breaking tributes to the tragic Brazilian team wiped out in yesterday’s horrific plane crash.
Messages poured in from the sporting world after 71 of the 77 people on a chartered British Aerospace 146 aircraft died when it crashed in the remote mountains of Colombia en route to a major cup final.
The Chapecoense squad — Brazil’s equivalent of Leicester — were due to play in South American football’s version of the Europa League final.
Brazilian superstar Neymar captured the numbing grief of a nation, which will spend three days in mourning, with his Instagram tribute.
It read: “Impossible to believe in this tragedy.
“Impossible to believe in the event, impossible to believe that the plane crashed.
“Impossible to believe that athletes, humans were on this plane.
“Impossible to believe that these people left their families . . . IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE!!!”
Neymar, who led Brazil to the gold medal in the Rio Olympics, added: “Today the World cries, but heaven rejoices in receiving champions. My feelings to all family and friends.”
Last night, a heart-breaking video emerged of Chapecoense players informing one of the victims, Thiaguinho, 20, that he had just become a father.
And former England captain Gary Lineker tweeted: “Just about the saddest thing imaginable.”
Goalkeeper Marcos Danilo Padilha, 31, whose last-minute save in the semi-final ensured their place in the final, died on the way to hospital.
The club’s coach, Caio Junior, was one of the victims but his son, Matheus Saroli, escaped after being refused permission to board the plane because he forgot his passport.
Also on that flight were Manchester United keeper Sergio Romero, Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City and Everton’s Ramiro Funes Mori, plus ex-Premier League players Martin Demichelis, Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria.
Messi, 29, who took a selfie on board with members of the crew, posted his own Facebook tribute yesterday: “My deepest condolences go to all of the families, friends and supporters of the Chapecoense squad.”
Chapecoense — likened to the Foxes because they were enjoying a fairytale season after a meteoric rise up the divisions — were due to take part in the first leg of the Sudamericana final for the first time in the club’s history.
Their Colombian opponents, Atletico Nacional, have asked that Chapecoense should be made honorary champions.
In wake of the news, Brazilian clubs also announced they would loan players to Chapecoense without any fees so they could continue as a club.
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Fifa president Gianni Infantino said: “It is a very important day for football . . . in this difficult moment, our thoughts are for the victims, their families and friends.
“Fifa wishes to extend its deepest condolences to the fans of Chapecoense, the community of football and the media.”
England captain Wayne Rooney tweeted: “Sad news to wake up to today. Thoughts are with Chapecoense and their family and friends.”
Earlier this year, Rooney was part of the memorial service for the Munich air crash which claimed the lives of 23 people in 1958, including eight Manchester United players.
Ex-England cricket captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: “Who cares who wins or loses a Test match when you hear the awful news from Colombia.”
Argentina’s 1986 World Cup winner Diego Maradona wrote on Facebook: “My condolences to the families of the Brazilian Chapecoense team and of all the people who died in this tragic plane crash in Colombia.
“Unfortunately, these kids took the wrong plane. From this day on, I’m a fan of Chapecoense.”
The jet carrying the squad, nine crew members and journalists slammed into a remote 11,000ft hillside of the remote Cerro Gordo mountain range.
Yesterday, dozens of bodies were covered in sheets around the plane’s shattered remains awaiting recovery.
Ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand tweeted: “Saddened by the news today. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Chapecoense friends and family.”
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale tweeted: “Absolutely horrendous to hear about the crash carrying Chapecoense. My thoughts are with all the families of the passengers and crew!”
Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez tweeted his “heartfelt condolences”.
Mayor of Chapeco, Luciano Buligon, broke down in tears as he said: “We have moved from a dream to a true nightmare.”
And Brazil president Michel Temer said: “I express my solidarity at this sad time when dozens of Brazilian families have been affected by tragedy.
“We are offering every form of help and assistance that we can.
“The government will do everything possible to relieve the pain of these friends and families of Brazilian sport and journalism.”
