Liverpool F.C. Player Celebrates Late-Game Goal by Pleading for the Release of His Kidnapped Father

Liverpool F.C. forward Luis Diaz dedicated his late-game goal on Sunday to his kidnapped father as his family still awaits his safe return.

With his team trailing 1-0 to Luton Town, Diaz scored the equalizer on a header in stoppage time. Immediately after scoring the goal, Diaz lifted up his jersey to reveal a t-shirt with the message “LIBERTAD PARA PAPA” — Spanish for “Freedom for Dad.”

Thanks to Diaz’s goal, Liverpool escaped the match with a draw.

In late October, gunmen from the Colombian rebel group National Liberation Army (ELN) abducted Diaz’s parents as they were driving home in the town of Barrancas. Police rescued Diaz’s mother hours later, but his father remains with the group.

Days before Sunday’s match against Luton, Diaz was in Colombia to be with his family. He missed two prior matches.

After his goal and touching tribute, Diaz released a statement urging the group to release his father.

“Every second, every minute, our anguish grows,” the 26-year-old said. “My mother, my brothers and sisters, and I are desperate, anxious and without words to describe what we’re feeling.

“This suffering will only end when we have (my father) back home. I beg that (the ELN) release him immediately, respecting his 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 recover him.”

Este gol es por la libertad de mi padre y de todos los secuestrados de mi país.

Gracias a todos por su apoyo.🙌🏻@europapress @bbcmundo @el_pais @AFP @cruzrojacol @ONU_derechos @ONUcolombia @RevistaSemana @nytimes @Reuters @CNNEE @ElTIEMPO @elheraldoco pic.twitter.com/KuRqYkTPhv

— Luis Fernando Díaz (@LuisFDiaz19) November 5, 2023

As noted by CNN, a representative of the ELN confirmed the group still has Diaz’s father but claimed it will release him “as soon as possible.”

Speaking after the game, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reaffirmed that there’s hope for the safe return of Diaz’s father.

“I think the signs from Colombia are rather positive, optimistic,” Klopp said, “but the one thing we all want to hear, it didn’t happen yet.”

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