Chapecoense goalkeeper Nivaldo has decided to retire just one day after a tragic plane crash killed a majority of his teammates in Colombia.
Nivaldo, 42, did not travel to the Copa Sudamerica final against Atlético Nacional on Wednesday in Medellín because he wanted to make his 300th league match in a Chapecoense uniform against Atlético Mineiro. He did not play in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Palmeiras so that the milestone appearance would take place before a home crowd.
“I was supposed to go on the trip but ended up staying,” Nivaldo told Globoesporte. “Everything has a reason in life.