His father was watching Liverpool and Colombia forward Luis Diaz as he scored twice to defeat Brazil in a World Cup qualifying match at the Estadio Metropolitano.
After his recent experience of being abducted, Luis Diaz brought his father to tears by scoring twice for Colombia in front of him.
After being taken prisoner by armed gunmen along with his spouse, Cilenis Marulanda, Diaz Senior was detained by the ELN guerrilla group for a period of twelve days. Diaz’s father was kept apart from his family until he was freed a week ago, even though she was later discovered by the police.
When the Liverpool player traveled back to his native Colombia this week for international duty, he was reunited with his father. Additionally, the forward’s family was present when he scored both goals in his nation’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in a vital World Cup qualifying match.
On a tearful evening at the Estadio Metropolitano, Diaz’s father was seen fighting back tears in the stands with his wife. After 15 games, Colombia has now defeated Brazil in World Cup qualifying for the first time.
After the game, an emotional Diaz reacted, saying, “I thank God. It’s all made possible by him. We have always experienced difficult times, but life gives you courage and strength. Along with life, so is soccer. We were worthy of this win.”
After the final whistle, Diaz’s Anfield teammate Alisson Becker, who was playing goalie for Brazil, gave his friend a lengthy hug. Alisson made the following statement following the game: “He is a friend; he’s been through a lot lately. This goes beyond soccer; he is deserving.”
Following the news of his father’s abduction, Diaz skipped a game against Nottingham Forest but kept practicing and playing for Liverpool while efforts were made to release Diaz Sr. He stated that his son had advised him “to keep going because things don’t end here and to have a lot of strength to recover from everything that has happened” when he was freed.
When Diaz’s father saw his son score goals against Brazil, he became very emotional.
After scoring this month’s 1-1 draw with Luton Town, Diaz lifted his shirt to show a message that said, “Freedom for Papa.”
“Today the footballer is not speaking to you,” he wrote on social media as he continued to beg for his father’s release. It is Lucho Díaz, today’s speaker, who is Luis Manuel Díaz’s son.
“Mane, my father, has been abducted. He is a devoted worker and a strong member of the family. I request my father’s immediate release from the ELN and the cooperation of international organizations in securing his freedom.”