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Luis Díaz sends message to his father's kidnappers after scoring goal in extra time: 'Freedom for dad'

Luis Díaz returned to Liverpool on Sunday. It was the first time he took the field since his parents were kidnapped in Colombia by a terrorist group.

That group, known as the National Liberation Army, kidnapped Díaz's mother and father last Saturday. Díaz's mother was rescued by a police roadblock, but his father remains missing.

Díaz missed the team's previous two games following the kidnapping, but returned to action Sunday against Luton Town. He scored Liverpool's only goal of the match, and took that moment to send a message to his father's kidnappers.

Luis Díaz asks for his father to be set free after scoring a goal during Sunday's game against Luton Town. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)
Luis Díaz asks for his father to be set free after scoring a goal during Sunday's game against Luton Town. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)

Díaz pulled up his jersey after scoring, revealing a shirt that read, "Libertad para papa," which translates to "Freedom for dad" in English. Díaz scored the goal in extra time. The game finished in a 1-1 tie.

The National Liberation Army, known in Colombia as Ejército de Liberación Nacional, is considered a foreign terrorist group by the United States government. Colombian special forces are looking for Díaz's father, and have offered a $48,000 reward for information leading to his rescue.

Díaz has scored three goals for Liverpool during the 2023-24 Premier League season. He joined the team on a reported $45.7 million deal in early 2022.