Luis Diaz reduced his father to tears after scoring twice for Colombia in front of him following his recent kidnap ordeal.
Diaz Senior was held captive for 12 days by the ELN guerrilla group after he was seized by armed gunmen alongside his wife, Cilenis Marulanda. While she was subsequently found by police, Diaz’s father was separated from his family until he was released a week ago.
The Liverpool star was reunited with his father this week when he returned to his native Colombia for international duty. And the forward was watched on by his family as he scored both goals in his country’s 2-1 win over Brazil in a crucial World Cup qualifier.
Diaz’s father was seen holding back tears in the stands alongside his wife on an emotional evening at the Estadio Metropolitano. The result marks the first time Colombia have beaten Brazil in World Cup qualifying in 15 matches.
Reacting after the match, an emotional Diaz said: “I thank God. He makes it all possible. We have always lived tough moments, but life makes you strong and brave. So is soccer and so is life. We deserved this victory.”
Diaz’s Anfield teammate, Alisson Becker, was in goal for Brazil and gave his friend a long embrace after the final whistle. Speaking after the match, Alisson said: “He is a friend, he suffered a lot these days. This is beyond football, he deserves it.”
After missing a match against Nottingham Forest following news of his father’s kidnap, Diaz continued to train and play for Liverpool while attempts were made to free Diaz Sr. Upon his release, he revealed that his son had told him “to keep going because things don’t end here and to have a lot of strength to recover from everything that has happened”.
“Mane, my dad, is a tireless worker, a pillar in the family and he has been kidnapped. I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organisations to work together for his freedom.”