Football
ESPN staff 7y

Pele mourns with Brazilians over Chapecoense plane tragedy

Brazil legend Pele has been left devastated by the Chapecoense air tragedy just like the rest of the world.

The three-time World Cup winner admits that "for us Brazilians, it is very difficult" at this time, as the South American nation comes to terms with the plane crash that happened on Monday.

It took the lives of 71 people, including players and officials from the Chapecoense club who were en route to the Copa Sudamericana final first leg against Atletico Nacional.

"It is a sad moment," Pele told ESPN Brasil. "It makes us sad and makes Brazil sad.

"I ask God to give the families strength to get through this suffering as fast as possible.

"There are many accidents here on earth. It is sad because they are our brothers.

"We must pray and be a positive force for the families who are suffering. For us Brazilians, it is very difficult."

Tributes have been pouring in from around the world, while Nacional have asked CONMEBOL to award the Copa Sudamericana trophy to Chapecoense, and defending champions Santa Fe of Colombia have presented their replica trophy to the Brazilian club as a mark of respect.

A tweet from their official account read: "Santa Fe today delivered the replica of the Copa Sudamericana to Chapecoense.

"[We] seek the same dream, this trophy is also of you."

It has been reported that FIFA president Gianni Infantino has already postponed his trip to Australia next week so that he can travel to Brazil to attend the funeral services for the Chapecoense victims.

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