On Monday night, November 28, the soccer world was and still is, in mourning. Tragedy became very real for the men of the Brazilian soccer team, Chapecoense, along with coaches, reporters/journalists and of course, flight staff, as they boarded a plane to achieve a lifelong dream of theirs: win the final match in the Copa Sudamericana tournament, which is also known as the equivalent to Europe's Europa League. What these men and women did not know was they would not get off the plane.
In total, 77 passengers got onto that flight which was supposed to go to Columbia from Bolivia in order for the team to play the first out of two matches of the final. They were expected to play that Wednesday, November 30, against Atleticó Nacional.
That night, their plane crashed near Medellin, killing 71 people and leaving only 6 survivors, making this one of the worst and saddest tragedies in soccer history. But why?
Chapecoense was founded in the 1970s and shockingly started making their debut in the lowest group, Serie D, in 2007. From 2007-2016, the team slowly went up in the ranks, jumping from Serie C to Serie B, and then finally Serie A, the top group for all Brazilian club teams. This is the same ranking system for club teams all over the world. This is the equivalent of how the NCAA Division rankings are.
Throughout the years, much like the entire FIFA Association, Chapecoense had dealt with corruption and many scandals within their organization, which left many to think there was no way to turn their bad luck around. With hard work, determination, focus, and practice, those men were able to prove those who doubted them wrong, making Chapecoense known as the Brazilian "Cinderella Story." They came from the bottom of the spectrum and made it to the top, but not quite fully grasping the stars on November 28.
Less than 7 days before the plane crash, a member of Chapecoense, Thiaguinho, found out he was going to be a father, who was surprised with this incredible news by his fellow teammates. He was not one of the 6 survivors on the flight.
Minutes before his death, the team's goalkeeper, Danilo, made sure to call his wife and speak to her one last time, minutes before his death.
These are just two really saddening and heartbreaking examples of what happened in the moments before and after the crash. All of the men had so much to live for, so much success and love waiting for them in the future. They are now loved by millions.
Being a soccer player and diehard fan for many years, I can't tell you how terrible this was; a rising star of a team, such as Chapecoense, overcoming every obstacle that came in its way, only for its men to never be able to complete their dream. The men of Atleticó Nacional, out of the wonderful and generous kindness of their hearts, had requested the Sudamericana Cup be given to Chapecoense. This is what makes football so beautiful: it doesn't matter if you are on different teams or if you are from another country because everyone will still care for you and still consider you one of them, as a brother or a sister. For the talented and dedicated men of Chapecoense, they will never be able to experience the feeling of winning, but in spirit, they are still the champions that have touched everyone's hearts in Brazil and worldwide.
"They left for a dream," Chapecó's mayor said, "and they came back as legends."
All I can tell you about this miracle team is that Chapecoense's "Cinderella Story" was never supposed to end like this. It doesn't matter which team/club you support, or even if you don't pay attention to the beautiful game or like football. We must stand behind Chapecoense, the families affected by this horrific tragedy, and their people in Chapecó.
Força Chape.
