Some matters in life extend beyond the realm of football, and family is undoubtedly one of them. In the case of Colombian soccer player Luis Diaz, a significant family crisis has unfolded. Just a few weeks ago, his parents fell victim to a kidnapping. While authorities acted swiftly to rescue his mother, his father remains captive in the kidnapper’s hands.
In an emotional evening for the Liverpool star, the club’s No. 7 pleaded with the criminal group ELN, reportedly behind the kidnapping, to free his father after scoring a late goal to secure a point for Liverpool in the Premier League clash against Luton Town.
Luis Diaz pleads for his father’s return
It’s been a tough few days for Luis Diaz, whose parents were kidnapped by the criminal group called ELN in Colombia over a week ago. The authorities immediately rescued the Liverpool star’s mother, but his father, Luis Manuel Diaz, remains with the kidnappers as all the efforts made by authorities have proven abortive in the past few days.
After scoring a late goal for his club yesterday, the Colombian international sent an emotional statement to the criminal group to free his father. After revealing an undershirt sign saying, “Libertad Para Papa” (Freedom For Papa), Liverpool No. 7 followed it up with a social media statement later yesterday evening.
“Today, the footballer is not speaking to you. Today Lucho Diaz, the son of Luis Manuel Diaz, is speaking to you. Mane, my father, is a tireless worker, a pillar in the family, and he has been kidnapped,” Diaz said in the statement.
“I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organizations to work together for his freedom. Every second, every minute, our anguish grows. My mother, my brother and I are desperate, distressed, and without words to describe what we are feeling,” he continued.
“This suffering will only end when we have him back home. I beg you to release him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this painful wait as soon as possible,” he concluded.
Luis Diaz scores on PL return
Luis Diaz returned to training last week and made himself available for the Liverpool squad for the first time since the news of his parents’ kidnapping first broke out. While the Colombian international’s mother has been rescued, his father remains in captivity, leaving the Liverpool winger with no choice but to send a plea statement to the criminal organization responsible for the kidnapping.
But before this, he made himself available for Liverpool’s game against Luton in the Premier League, which ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw for the Reds. Liverpool had dominated the game and would have been several goals up had Darwin Nunez taken his chances.
Liverpool went behind in the 80th minute after former United youngster Tahith Chong delivered a sucker punch to the Reds. This prompted Jurgen Klopp to call on Luis Diaz to try to salvage a point from the game, and he did just that.
He rose the highest to meet Harvey Elliot’s cross to head home the equalizer in the last minute of the game. His celebration was just as important as the goal – a message to his father’s kidnappers to free him.
Liverpool, who are reportedly prepared to let Mo Salah join the Saudi Pro League, now sit third in the Premier League table, only below Tottenham and Manchester City.
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