BOGOTA – Chapecoense defender Neto, who survived the 2016 plane
crash that killed most of his fellow players, has announced his
retirement.
"My body couldn't take it anymore. The pains were greater than the
pleasure," the Brazilian footballer told broadcaster Globo on Friday.
He said he had no pain in his daily life, but that he suffered
intense knee and back pain during high-level training.
The 34-year-old is one of the six survivors of the accident, which
occurred when the plane taking the team to the Copa Sudamericana
finals in Medellin crashed near the Colombian city in November 2016.
The 71 victims included almost the entire team as well as trainers
and journalists.
Neto had returned to the football field after a long rehabilitation
process. "I now agree with the doctors and the club. I wanted to say
goodbye, a game, but I chose not to."