Last November 29, a plane flying over Medellin, Colombia holding 71 passengers crashed. Most of the passengers were part of the Chapecoense Brazilian football team, and now, around the world, soccer stars and ordinary people are paying tribute.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also labeled the event as a "very, very sad day for football". The Barcelona and Real Madrid teams led the way and held a minute of silence ahead of the much-awaited El Clasico derby, according to The Independent. (READ: Five Cities In Europe Off The Beaten Path)
David Luiz, the Brazilian defender for Chelsea writes a tribute for former teammate and close friend Arthur Maia, a casualty in the crash, along with a picture of the two of them in their youth. He writes, "Know that one day I had the pleasure to meet you and have you as a little brother... I keep this image saved as I always had of a pure and dreamy boy! God bless you!! Praying for all! #RIP #ArthurMaia." (READ: A Guide To Thailand During Time Of Mourning For The Late King)
Another soccer star, Wayne Rooney, captain of Manchester United and England, tweeted his condolences to the Chapecoense victims and their families, as did Real Madrid's Gareth Bale. David de Gea, who played alongside Cleber Santana, one of the victims in the crash, also paid a heart-warming tribute.
According to Mail Online, Liverpool, Leeds, Hull and Newcastle, all EFL quarter-finalists, held a minute of silence ahead of the game at KCOM Stadium, Anfield before the customary kick-off. In addition, the soccer players wore black armbands during the game as a reminder to all of what a loss the international football community has suffered in this trying time. The tribute was for the football stars, coaches and sports journalists who lost their lives, along with the airline crew. (READ: American Airlines Now Fly To Havana, Cuba After Fidel Castro Death)
The West London Club also had Chelsea's first-team players holding a solemn minute of silence before their evening training session at Stamford Bridge. In addition, the Wembley Stadium illuminated its famous steel arch in green, the color of Brazilian team Chapecoense. (READ: Behind The Scenes of Narcos: Filming Locations In Colombia)
Out of all the Chapecoense team, only two players survived, including 3 other crew members and journalists. The Chapecoense club was traveling to Medellin from Bogota to play at the finals of the Copa Sudamericana, the first time in the club's history.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
