Colombian and Liverpool winger Luis Diaz has made a heartfelt plea for his father’s release following his abduction last month.
Diaz scored a late equaliser against Luton on Sunday and used the moment to send a powerful message by revealing the words “freedom for papa” on his shirt.
After the game, Diaz further addressed the situation by posting a statement on Instagram, earnestly pleading for his father’s safe release.
“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,” he wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
In the message, Diaz also thanked the Colombian and the international community for their support: “I thank Colombians and the international community for the support received; thank you for so many demonstrations of affection and solidarity in this difficult time that many families in my country find themselves living.”
Diaz’s parents were taken hostage on October 28 by leftwing guerrillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN) in their hometown of Barrancas.
The Liverpool forward’s mother has been found but his father remains missing.
On Thursday, the government of Colombia said that the kidnapping had been carried out by the ELN.
The rebels subsequently issued a statement announcing that Díaz’s father would be released in the next few days.