Tragic crash was a near miss for many at Brazil soccer club

Alejandro Martinuccio of Uruguay's Penarol attends a soccer training session at Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo June 21, 2011. Penarol will face Brazil's Santos in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday. REUTERS/Nacho Doce (BRAZIL - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) - RTR2NXNT

CHAPECO, Brazil (Reuters) - For soccer striker Alejandro Martinuccio, the surgery on his right knee two months ago was a tough blow, keeping him off the field as his small Brazilian team, Chapecoense, pulled off surprise wins against top clubs from his native Argentina.

But in the end, the surgery saved more than Martinuccio's knee. It saved his life.