Luis Diaz releases statement on father's kidnapping

Luis Diaz broke his public silence on Sunday evening, sharing an emotional message on social media asking for the release of his father.

Luis Manuel Diaz was kidnapped by armed men on motorbikes in the Colombian town of Barrancas over a week ago, along with the Liverpool winger's mother Cilenis Marulanda.

While Diaz's mother has since been rescued, the search for Diaz Snr remains an ongoing operation.

Colombian guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) have been identified as Diaz's father's captors, while a representative for the rebel organisation claimed last week that a release would take place 'as soon as possible'. There has, however, been no progress since then.

Diaz sat out Liverpool's wins Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth amid the distressing situation but came off the bench to score a late equaliser against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Sunday.

READ MORE: 5 talking points from Luton Town 1-1 Liverpool

The 26-year-old lifted his shirt in celebration, revealing a message that read 'freedom for dad'.

Writing on X, after the game, Diaz released a statement thanking those who have supported him in recent days, while pleading with the ELN to release his father and end his family's 'anguish'.

"Today the footballer is not talking to you, today Lucho Díaz, the son of Luis Manuel Díaz, is talking to you," he wrote.

"Mane my dad, is a tireless worker, our pillar in the family and he is kidnapped. I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organisations to intervene. for his freedom.

"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 get him back home. I ask you to release him immediately, respecting his integrity and ending this as soon as possible painful wait in the name of love and compassion, we ask that you reconsider your actions and allow us to take him back.

"I thank Colombians and the international community for the support received, thank you for so many expressions of affection and solidarity in this difficult time we are experiencing. many families in my country."