Chapecoense and Atlético Nacional meet again 10 years after the plane tragedy

Ten years after the air disaster that devastated Chapecoense and shook the football world, the Brazilian club and Atlético Nacional reunited in Medellín, Colombia, to celebrate a friendship born of tragedy.

At the Atanasio Girardot stadium, where the first leg of the 2016 Copa Sudamericana final was to be played, the teams drew 1–1, but the result faded on a day dedicated to the 71 victims of the air crash of 28 November 2016.

Players from both teams wore armbands reading “71 siempre presentes” (71 always present) and before kick-off gathered at the center of the pitch for the national anthems, then posed together for a symbolic photo.

After the 10th minute, the match was stopped and the crowd rose to applaud the victims. Among those present was Hélio Neto, the former Chapecoense player and one of the six survivors of the crash.

“I wholeheartedly hope this brotherhood lasts for many more years,” he said, thanking Atlético Nacional for their support after the disaster. The Colombian club had asked the South American confederation (CONMEBOL) to award Chapecoense the 2016 Copa Sudamericana title, which later became the Brazilian club’s only international trophy.