The three Chapecoense players who survived last November's fatal plane crash in Colombia lifted the Copa Sudamericana trophy over the weekend during a friendly with Palmeiras.
The small Brazilian team were, as recently as 2009, playing in the fourth division (Serie D) of the Brazilian football league. Back-to-back promotions in 2012 and 2013 saw them rise through Serie C and Serie B to reach Brazil's top flight.
Their appearance in one of the continent's showpiece tournaments was meant to be the pinnacle for the club, only for the story to a tragic turn. 71 people lost their lives as the squad travelled to Colombia to take on Atletico Nacional in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final.
In the aftermath of the crash, Atletico Nacional agreed that Chapecoense be crowned champions in a gesture of solidarity with the Brazilian team.
At the weekend, the survivors lifted the trophy in front of a huge crowd just before kick-off in a charity game that finished 2-2.
ACABOU! Fim do 1º jogo da Nova Chape na Arena Condá!
Chapecoense 2x2 Palmeiras
Placar justo para o Jogo da Amizade!#VamosChape pic.twitter.com/pSuxJAVA1X— Chapecoense (@ChapecoenseReal) January 21, 2017
Speaking to the Associated Press, former Chapecoense player Janca said: "It is just unbelievable that they managed to rebuild the entire team, and the club board in such a short time.
"It will take some time until people trust the new players, but there will surely be support for that," he added.
The ground broke out in an emotional cheer in the 71st minute in a tribute to the 71 people who lost their lives in the tragic crash last year.
Chapecoense were founded in 1973 in the city of Chapeco, in the state of Santa Caterina, southern Brazil which is home to about 200,000 people.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
