Sister of Chapecoense victim honours brother with tattoo

Daniele Padilha has paid a touching tribute to her brother Danilo, one of the Chapecoense players that was killed in a plane crash in Columbia. Photo / Facebook

The sister of one of the Chapecoense footballers killed in a plane crash last month has paid permanent tribute to him by getting a tattoo of him.

Daniele Padilha, whose brother Danilo was one of 71 people killed when the plane carrying the team to a cup final crashed in Colombia, has had his name and shirt number inked onto her back.

The tattoo depicts goalkeeper Danilo wearing his No 1 jersey, and with a halo above his head.

Daniele Padilha's tattoo, a tribute to her brother. Photo / Facebook

Ms Padilha showed off her poignant body art on her Facebook page, along with the message: "My angel forever in my history, in my memories, prayers, thoughts. Forever in my heart, marked on my body.

"Brother, eternal love, shirt number one."

Of the 71 people who died in the crash, 19 were players of Brazilian club Chapecoense, who were supposed to play the Copa Sudamericana final - the South American equivalent of the Europa League.

Their would be opponents, Atletico Nacional, said Chapecoense should be awarded the trophy as a posthumous honour to the players, which has been agreed to by the South American Football Confederation.

Daniele Padilha and her brother Danilo. Photo / Facebook

Around 100,000 people gathered on the streets and inside Chapecoense's ground yesterday when the coffins of the players were carried into the stadium for a memorial ceremony.

Several well-known players, including Eidur Gudjohnsen, Juan Roman Riquelme and Ronaldinho have offered to play for the decimated club while they rebuild their squad.

Chapecoense only recently came up through the lower divisions after being founded in 1973, and the acting president has said he is determined the club will be able to build again.