LUIS DIAZ’S father broke down in tears after his son scored twice to fire Colombia to victory over Brazil after his kidnapping ordeal.
Dad Luis Manuel Diaz Jimenez, 58, feared he would not make it out alive as he endured a terrifying 12-day ordeal after being kidnapped by ELN guerrillas in Colombia.
But the Liverpool star’s father was reunited with his jubilant friends and family after finally being released by the rebel group who captured him on October 28 last week.
Then the 26-year-old and his dad emotionally reunited this week after the winger arrived in Colombia for international duty.
And Diaz celebrated his release in stunning fashion by securing his country’s stunning comeback to bolster their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli had given Brazil the lead after just four minutes at the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla.
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But Diaz got a brace of headers, the first in the 75th minute and the second in the 79th, to seal Colombia’s first win over Brazil in World Cup qualifying in 15 games.
Decked out in a Colombia jersey and a silver rosary, Luis Manuel Diaz fell on top of fans around him in the stands as he was completely overcome by emotion following the second goal.
He then wept next to his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, as he celebrated.
That result also lifted them above the five-time world champions into third in the standings.
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The emotional Diaz said afterwards: “Yes, I was thinking of my dad all the time on the pitch… he always had the right mentality in difficult moments.
“This win, these goals go for him. 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 goals came against his Liverpool team-mate Alisson, and the Brazil goalkeeper said: “He is a friend, he suffered a lot these days. This is beyond football, he deserves it.”
Diaz and Colombia take on Paraguay next on Tuesday as they continue their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The clip of the star’s father soon went viral on social media, and fans from across the world loved what they were seeing.
“You couldn’t write a better script,” declared one.
Another said: “Oh wow! Highly emotional scenes. Brilliant.”
“Priceless feeling,” declared another before adding: “Good to see him safe and unharmed.”
A fellow supporter commented: “It was written and made in heaven for Luiz to steal the show.”
While another said that it “doesn’t get more magical than that”.
Armed men on motorbikes kidnapped both of Diaz’s parents on October 28 from a petrol station in Barrancas.
Fortunately, his mother was rescued within hours by police as they set up roadblocks around the town near the Venezuelan border.
However, his father suffered a 12-day ordeal as they held him for ransom before he was finally released by the group.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
