Ruschel: Messi's shirt would be an amazing gift

Alan Ruschel was born again on the fateful day of November 28, 2016, when the Chapecoense plane crashed. The left-back was one of six survivors, including three players, and after a huge display of overcoming and resolve, he will be the big protagonist on Monday night at the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Ruschel is already in Barcelona where an advance party from Chape aheaded there before the squad is completed on Monday. "You have to be grateful to Barcelona for helping us," he said. "Not just them, but a lot of people have shown solidarity and great humanity."

Ruschel gave a press conference at the Hotel Melia, where the team are staying. "I have a great happiness to be able to return, it's a dream to play at Camp Nou against the best in the world, a dream I've had since infancy, but beyond that the most important thing is to be able to play again." He is conscious his return "is making a lot of people happy". 

"The hardest part is the psychological," he said. "I have memories of all types, I came through difficult and delicate moments, but always thinking about God. He wanted it to be like this. It seemed impossible, but today here I am, I'm alive and very grateful to God." 

On the game itself he said that it will be "historic", "for everyone who is part of Chapecoense. Jackson Follman, Helio Neto, Rafael (the other survivors) will be there too." Of Messi, Ruschel added: "It would be a great gift to swap shirts with Messi, the best player in the world and one of the best in the history of football."

"It would have been nice to play against Neymar, I'm a fan of his football, he's one of the best in the world. It's his choice and I hope he's very happy in Paris."

Ruschel will start the game, going out as Chape's captain and will receive a great ovation from Camp Nou, because he is an example for everyone.