Story highlights

Chapecoense keeper Nivaldo struggling emotionally

'I've a dual feeling about being alive today,' he says

Club lost 38 staff

Chapeco CNN  — 

There is a real sense that Chapecoense goalkeeper Nivaldo is struggling with survivor guilt as he comes to terms with the hand he’s been dealt by fate.

Nineteen of his teammates, along with 19 other club staff, were among the 71 who died, while three players were among the six survivors of the plane crash in Colombia Monday.

The 42-year-old Nivaldo was left out of the squad for the first leg of the Brazilian side’s South American Cup final match against Atletico Nacional in Medellin Wednesday, spared the trip to get ready for his 300th appearance for the club in front of home fans this weekend.

Demerson – one of the nine Chapecoense players who did not travel on the club’s fateful flight to Colombia – says the bereaved team will soon “come back strong.”

READ: Football team’s ‘fairy tale’ story ends in tragedy

READ: The four people who skipped fatal flight

READ: Can Chapecoense recover from tragedy?

READ: Crashed jet ‘without fuel’

“That response never came”

The small club from Santa Catarina state was decimated by the loss, and Nivaldo wonders what the future holds for the team.

“Today we have nothing,” he said. “We have our fans. The strength of a city and the strength of the entire world which is helping us and who is wishing Chapecoense to recover.

“This is also a very difficult moment for me. But as I said I need to be strong. I have to be strong.

“There is a game on the 11th – I don’t know if we have athletes to play. I don’t know if we are psychologically ready to enter on the field. I don’t know if I can enter the field.”

READ: Tributes pour in for Chapecoense after plane crash

Nivaldo later announced his retirement, still unable to make sense of the accident.

“Tragedies happen. It can happen to anyone,” he said.

“There is no explanation. You see that video they posted. All happy. And here our hearts are in our hands.”

Nivaldo was consoled by his sister as he met reporters at Chapecoense's stadium in the aftermath of the fatal crash.

Chapecoense is little known outside of Brazil but the top-flight side punched above its weight and was heading to the Colombian city for the biggest game in its history.

“Chapecoense pays badly but was able to do what the bigger teams couldn’t,” added Nivaldo.

“Our strength has always come from the locker room. Few players but those who were there were dedicated to Chapecoense.

Visit cnn.com/football for more news and videos

“You could feel their heart when they put on that jersey for the club.”