Tonight, Luis Diaz takes the field for Liverpool against Toulouse just hours after his father’s dramatic release. After enduring 12 days of captivity at the hands of ELN guerrillas in Colombia, Luis Diaz Sr. was finally set free. Throughout this harrowing ordeal, the Liverpool star continued training and even made a late appearance against Luton last weekend, where he scored a crucial equalizer.
Diaz Sr.’s release was facilitated through the efforts of a commission from the United Nations and the Catholic Church, who negotiated with the ELN. The emotional moment occurred earlier today when Diaz Sr. was seen disembarking from a helicopter in the border area between La Guajira and Cesar. He waved before being driven to the hospital for a checkup.
Luis Diaz had remained steadfast during his father’s abduction, missing Liverpool’s match against Nottingham Forest and later making a heartfelt appeal for his release on social media. Tonight’s game marks his first start since the traumatic incident began. In response to the news of Diaz Sr.’s safe return, Liverpool issued a statement expressing their relief and gratitude for his release.