UPDATE (6:40 p.m. ET): Officials now say that 71 of the 77 passengers have died in a tragic plane crash Monday night near Medellín, Colombia. Brazilian soccer club Chapecoense was on the plane.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Chapecoense plane crash has cast the soccer world into mourning.
A plane carrying the Brazilian soccer team crashed Monday night near Medellin, Colombia, killing 75 of the 81 passengers on board. Chapecoense was traveling to play the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Colombian team Atletico Nacional.
As the heartbreaking news spreads around the world, some of the sport’s leading figures have paid tributes to the victims.
Neymar, the superstar forward for FC Barcelona and Brazil’s national team, is in a state of disbelief. His Instagram message reads:
“Cannot believe this tragedy, impossible to believe happened, impossible to believe that the plane crashed, impossible to believe that athletes, humans were on that plane, impossible to believe that these people left their families .. is IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE !!! Today the world mourns, but the sky is happy to receive Champions. My feelings all family and friends.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described Tuesday as a grim one in the soccer world.
“This is a very, very sad day for football,” Infantino said in a statement on FIFA.com. “We are so sorry to hear about the airplane crash in Colombia, it is shocking and tragic news. At this difficult time our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends. FIFA would like to extend its most heartfelt condolences to the fans of Chapecoense, the football community and media organisations concerned in Brazil.”
Barcelona and Real Madrid held a minute’s silence Tuesday before their practice sessions in honor of the victims, according to The Associated Press.
Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta also offered sympathies.
Absolutely horrendous to hear about the crash carrying @ChapecoenseReal My thoughts are with all the families of the passengers and crew!
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) November 29, 2016
Toda mi solidaridad y apoyo a las familias de las víctimas y a todos los compañeros del @ChapecoenseReal tras la tragedia aérea de Colombia.
— Andrés Iniesta (@andresiniesta8) November 29, 2016
Leading Premier League clubs shared similar sentiments.
Our thoughts are with everyone at @ChapecoenseReal and all those affected by the tragedy in Colombia.#ForçaChapecoense pic.twitter.com/I5CCI5MvvN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 29, 2016
Thinking of you, @ChapecoenseReal#ForçaChapecoense pic.twitter.com/0KGRwwqI76
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 29, 2016
The thoughts of everyone at Manchester United are with @ChapecoenseReal & all those affected by the tragedy in Colombia.#ForçaChapecoense pic.twitter.com/EUjAnJQkaB
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 29, 2016
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea lost his former teammate, Cleber Santana, in the tragedy.
Deeply affected by Medellin's plane crash. I shared locker with Cleber Santana and it's difficult to reveal how I feel. A huge hug. pic.twitter.com/TdeNzssZFN
— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) November 29, 2016
Descansa en Paz amigo. pic.twitter.com/TclUIsuPLx
— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) November 29, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Eric Seals/USA TODAY Sports Images
