Liverpool star Luis Diaz can finally breathe a sigh of relief as his father, Luis Manuel Diaz, has been freed by his kidnappers after a harrowing 12-day ordeal. Luis Manuel was taken into the hands of a 'Humanitarian Commission' composed of the Catholic Church and the United Nations on Thursday afternoon.

The kidnapping took place on October 28 when Luis Manuel and his wife Cilenis Marulanda were abducted by armed men on motorcycles in their hometown of Barrancas, Colombia. His mother was fortunately rescued the next day, but Luis Manuel's release was delayed.

The search for Luis Manuel Diaz involved hundreds of police and military personnel, who conducted extensive operations to track down the kidnappers and secure his release. The family had desperately sought proof that Luis Manuel was still alive after earlier hopes of his release were dashed.

The Colombian government offered a reward of up to 200 million pesos (approximately £40,000) for any information leading to Luis Manuel's whereabouts. The search efforts focused on the mountain ranges and jungles near the border between Colombia and Venezuela.

Throughout the ordeal, Luis Diaz, the talented footballer, expressed his anguish and called for his father's safe return. He even donned a t-shirt with the message "freedom for papa" during a match against Luton Town, after scoring a crucial goal.

The situation escalated further when the ELN (Ejercito de Liberation Nacional), a left-wing guerrilla group considered a terrorist organization by the United States, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. Peace talks between the ELN and the Colombian government had been ongoing since 2020, but this act threatened the progress made in the negotiations.

The tense situation reached a turning point when the ELN announced they would release Luis Manuel Diaz. High-level talks involving the UN, the Catholic Church, and the Colombian government were held to facilitate his release.

Finally, on Thursday, Luis Manuel Diaz was rescued and received immediate medical care. Images of his first moments of freedom showed him waving his arm in the air, accompanied by a sense of relief for his family and the football community.

The Colombian Football Federation expressed gratitude to the National Government, the Military Forces, and the National Police for their efforts in securing Luis Manuel's release. They emphasized the importance of football as a symbol of unity, joy, and healthy competition and advocated for its separation from any non-sporting scenarios.

The safe return of Luis Manuel Diaz marks the end of a traumatic ordeal for the Diaz family and brings relief to the Liverpool star and his fans worldwide. The hopes and prayers of many have been answered, finally allowing them to focus on the joys of the beautiful game.