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Barcelona to face Brazil side Chapecoense in friendly

CHAPECO, BRAZIL - APRIL 18: Reinaldo #6 of Chapecoense celebrates after scoring during a match between Chapecoense and Nacional Uruguai as part of Copa Bri
Image: Chapecoense's team has been rebuilt after the plane crash

Brazil's Chapecoense, devastated by a plane crash last year, will play Barcelona at the Nou Camp in a pre-season friendly on August 7.

The match will "help pay tribute to the 71 people who died in the accident on November 28th, 2016, as well as their families," Barcelona said on their website.

Nineteen Chapecoense players and 24 club officials were among those who died when the team's plane crashed into a mountainside in Colombia.

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium
Image: Chapecoense could face Lionel Messi (pictured), Neymar and Luis Suarez when the teams meet

"Barca hopes to help Chapecoense rebuild institutionally and recover the competitive level it had before the tragedy," the Spanish giants added.

The winner of the match will receive the Joan Gamper Trophy, named after the Swiss founder of Barcelona.

Chapecoense had been on their way to face Atletico Nacional in Medellin for the biggest match in their history, the final of the Copa Sudamericana, South America's second-biggest club tournament.

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After the tragedy, Atletico Nacional ceded the title to Chapecoense in tribute.

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