Reuters, BARCELONA, SpainBarcelona’s traditional curtain-raiser, the Joan Gamper Trophy, took on emotional significance with a visit on Monday by Chapecoense, the Brazilian team who lost most of their playing and coaching staff in a plane crash last year. The La Liga side won 5-0, with goals from Gerard Deulofeu, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Denis Suarez. Neto required knee surgery and a gallbladder operation after the crash, but has said he plans to return to playing next year. Up in the stadium media box, Rafael Henzel, a journalist who survived the crash, commentated on the game. He then swapped shirts with Lionel Messi when the five-time FIFA World Player of the Year left the pitch at halftime.

Source: Taipei Times August 08, 2017 15:56 UTC