NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 08:54
Luis Manuel Diaz had been kidnapped in Colombia for twelve days. On Thursday evening (local time) he saw in the stands how his son Luis Diaz scored twice in a World Cup qualifier against Brazil: 2-1.
In the yellow shirt of the Colombian team, father Diaz gave free rein to his emotions at Estadio Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla. Crying heavily, the 58-year-old man had to be held down by family members and other onlookers. The father was in despair after his son’s two striking headers in the 75th and 79th minutes helped Colombia beat Brazil for the first time in seven matches.
“I want to thank God, he made all this possible,” the footballer said in a brief response after the match. “We have experienced difficult moments, but that makes you strong and brave. That’s football and that’s life.”
Both of Diaz’s parents were kidnapped by gunmen on motorcycles at a gas station in the town of Barrancas near the border with Venezuela on October 28. Police set up roadblocks and freed the footballer’s mother within hours.
Reunited
The guerrilla group ELN held the father for almost two weeks. He was released last Thursday, according to police, without any ransom being paid. Four people have been arrested for involvement in the kidnapping.
ReutersFather Diaz has to pose for a fan’s selfie in the stands
While his father was kidnapped, Diaz missed two games for his club Liverpool. He made his return on November 5 with an eight-minute substitute appearance against Luton Town and immediately scored the only goal. He dedicated the goal to his father by showing a shirt with a text for him.
‘Bigger than football’
A few days later his father was released. Father and son were only reunited last Tuesday, two days before the match against Brazil.
Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson was happy for Diaz, his teammate at Liverpool. “He is a friend who has gone through a difficult time. Losing is never fun, but this is much bigger than football. Luis deserves this.”
ReutersFather and son Diaz were reunited on Tuesday
2023-11-17 07:54:21
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