LUIS Diaz’s emotional family celebrated the Liverpool star’s late goal last night as the hunt continues for his kidnapped dad.
The footballer’s father, 58, was taken hostage at gunpoint by ELN rebels alongside his wife at a petrol station in Colombia nine days ago.
The star’s mother Cilenis Marulanda was rescued within hours – but Diaz’s father Luis Manuel is yet to be found after his release by the guerrilla group stalled.
Amid the desperate search for Luis Manuel, Diaz netted a dramatic late equaliser against Luton on Sunday evening.
After scoring in stoppage time, Diaz lifted his shirt to reveal the words “Libertad Para Papa” – meaning “Freedom for my father”.
The 26-year-old had come off the bench at Kenilworth Road to secure a vital point for Liverpool who sit third in the Premier League following the 1-1 draw.
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His celebration sparked jubilation among Liverpool fans who have rallied behind the winger in the nine days since his dad’s horror kidnapping.
And his extended family watched on at home – with a short clip from his grandparent’s home showing a crowd cheering.
They can be heard screaming and pumping their fists while huddled around a television.
After clinching the 95th-minute goal, Diaz made an impassioned plea to the guerilla rebels holding his dad to release him “immediately”.
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In a heart-rending post on Instagram Diaz, writing in Spanish, said: “Every second, every minute our anguish grows.
“My mother, my brothers and I are desperate, distressed and without words to describe what we are feeling.
“This suffering will only end when we have him back home.
“I beg you to resolve this immediately, respecting your integrity and ending this painful wait as soon as possible.
“In the name of love and compassion, we ask that you reconsider your actions and allow us to get him back.”
It comes days after the ELN group promised to release Luis Manuel.
But the rebels have insisted they need “security guarantees” before freeing him.
The guerrilla group pledged to “keep their word” – but accused the government of complicating things with the response triggered by the kidnap.
CCTV footage showed the Díazes being followed by men on motorbikes in their hometown of Barrancas, in the northern province of La Guajira.
Gunmen then accosted the couple at a petrol station, leaving Cilenis, before police closed in.
Police have been combing the mountainous Serranía del Perijá area near the Venezuelan border for Diaz during a frantic week-long hunt.
The horror meant Liverpool winger Diaz missed two games for his club but he appeared in Sunday’s fixture against Luton.
It comes amid reports the ELN planned the kidnapping for at least five months.
ELN members had put Luis Manuel Diaz under surveillance to study his routine, Colombian outlet Semana reported.
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They would work out the times he left home and returned, the places he visited and the friends he frequented.
Colombian authorities have offered a reward of $200,000,000 Peso (£40,600) for Diaz’s dad’s return.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
