Last November, the soccer world was shocked at the news a plane carrying the Chapecoense club team from Brazil crashed in Colombia and tragically claimed the lives of 71 of 77 people on board. Almost nine months later, one of the survivors of that tragic incident is back to playing soccer for the same club team, and his story has not gone unnoticed by fans of opposing teams, including Barcelona.
Chapecoense and Barcelona scheduled a friendly to honor the fallen and defender Alan Ruschel was the star of the match. Ruschel was one of three players on-board who survived the plane crash last November, and he needed to go through a rigorous rehab process that included back surgery to get himself back on the pitch for his club.
On Monday, Ruschel played 36 minutes before being given a hero’s ovation on his way off the field by the Barcelona fans. Barcelona players were also applauding their opponent as he came off the pitch. Jakson Follman and Neto, the other two players who survived were also at Camp Not for the friendly and were honored.
Goalkeeper Jakson Follman and defender Neto, the other two players who survived were also at Camp Nou for the friendly and were honored. Follman had to have a leg amputated but still plans to play for Brazil in the Paralympics while Neto is still going through rehab to hopefully get back to the team.
The cameras caught the reaction of some loyal Chapecoense, and you can see the emotions of some of those fans as well. But for an opposing player to get a standing ovation in an opposing team’s stadium speaks volumes about the level of respect one has achieved. For so many reasons, Ruschel has earned that kind of respect from around the soccer world, and it shows.
This is one of those moments that are just cool and serves as a reminder of the sportsmanship that knows no borders.
[FTW/Photo: @ChapecoenseReal]
