South America

Chapecoense could not play in the 2016 Copa Sudamerica final because on the way there nearly the entire team perished in a horrible plane crash.

On the day the final would have taken place, 45,000 people went to Atletico Nacional's stadium in Medellin, Colombia to pay tribute to Chapecoense.

Following the tragic events of the Chapecoense air disaster which took the lives of 19 of the club’s players, we now have some information regarding the three players who were rescued from the crash in Colombia.

31-year-old center back Neto, as confirmed by his father, is reportedly recovering well in the hospital.

One of the most heartbreaking stories to come out of an event that spawned many heartbreaking stories is that of Thiaguinho, the Chapecoense player who found out his wife was pregnant just days before he and 18 teammates were killed in a plane crash.

The video of Thiaguinho's teammates surprising him with the news is almost too much.

Following the tragic plane crash that killed 19 Chapecoense players, 42-year-old goalkeeper Nivaldo, who was left off the Brazilian club's trip to the Copa Sudamerica final in Colombia, has announced his retirement from football.

Vídeo: Nivaldo, goleiro há 10 anos na @ChapecoenseReal , que não embarcou para a Colômbia. pic.twitter.com/FhPTyBQK5C

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the recording from the plane carrying Chapecoense to the Copa Sudamerica final in Colombia that crashed Monday night shows the pilot saying the plane had run out of fuel.

Following Monday night’s tragic plane crash which resulted in the loss of 75 lives including the majority of Chapecoense’s squad, Brazil’s leading clubs have united in offering the team loan players free of charge.