Luis Diaz’s father was overwhelmed with joy on Thursday witnessing his son scoring twice for Colombia in the 2-1 victory over Brazil during the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualification game.
Luis Manuel Diaz was seen in tears as he celebrated his son’s goals along with his wife Cilenis Marulanda at Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla.
The Liverpool player’s father had been abducted by National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas and held captive for almost two weeks before being reunited with his son and family on Tuesday.
“I thank God,” said Diaz after his two goals secured the win. “He makes everything possible. We have faced tough times, but life makes you strong and courageous. So does soccer, so does life. We have earned this victory.”
Diaz scored two headers within four minutes of each other, with the first in the 75th minute and the second in the 79th, clinching Colombia’s first World Cup qualifying win against Brazil in 15 attempts.
“He is a friend and he suffered a lot these past days,” said Brazilian goalkeeper and Liverpool teammate Alisson Becker. “This goes beyond football — he deserves it.”
Both of Diaz’s parents were kidnapped by armed individuals on motorbikes in Barrancas on Oct. 28, but the player’s mother was rescued by the police shortly after her abduction by the ELN.
Next up for Diaz’s Colombia is Paraguay on Tuesday as the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers continue in South America.
