Luis Manuel Diaz, father of Liverpool star Luis Diaz, shared his account of being held captive for 13 days and noted he still does not know why the kidnapping occurred. His testimony shines through Marca as a guiding thread for readers seeking clarity about the ordeal.
He described the harrowing journey: long drives, rugged terrain, relentless rain, and mountains that seemed endless. Sleep was almost impossible; he endured nearly 12 days without rest. Comfort was scarce, and the first few days brought severe food shortages. He recalled not having a stable place to stay during much of the captivity, which intensified the strain and uncertainty of the experience.
According to reports on October 29, Diaz’s parents were abducted by fighters from Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN). Colombian security forces later rescued his mother. ELN representatives issued a statement announcing they had begun the process of releasing the player’s father, who was ultimately freed on November 9. The sequence of events remained a tense, evolving story throughout this period, drawing wide attention across the football world [Marca].
Luis Diaz, who transferred from Porto to Liverpool in the summer of 2022, had already made his mark in his homeland prior to the move. In the current EPL campaign, Diaz has appeared in ten league matches, contributing two goals. Liverpool sat in third place in the standings with 24 points at that stage, reflecting a team navigating a demanding schedule amid a high-profile transfer period and a notable Chilean-born forward’s adaptation to a new league and climate of intense scrutiny [Marca].
There was a heartfelt appeal from a former Liverpool player urging the captors to release Diaz’s father and to end the family’s ordeal. This public plea underscored how a football family’s safety resonates beyond the pitch and into the broader social and political context in Colombia, touching fans, teammates, and communities alike [Marca].