In a heartfelt display of solidarity, former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has reached out to Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, who is currently facing the distressing situation of his father being kidnapped by a Colombian guerrilla group. Diaz’s father, Luis Manuel Diaz, was abducted at gunpoint alongside his wife by the Ejercito de Liberation Nacional (ELN) on October 28, 2023.
Drawing from his own experiences of family members being kidnapped, Mikel empathetically offered his support to the young Liverpool star during an interview with talkSPORT. Mikel, a former Nigerian international, had his father kidnapped on two separate occasions, providing him with a unique understanding of the pain and uncertainty that Diaz and his family are enduring.
Mikel shared a heartfelt message, urging Diaz to remain strong during these challenging times. He emphasized the impact of such incidents not only on the victims but on their entire families. Mikel also commended Liverpool for their unwavering support for Diaz.
While Diaz’s father remains in captivity, there are reports suggesting that the United Nations, in collaboration with the Church and the Colombian government, is actively engaged in negotiations to secure his release. The football community continues to rally behind Diaz and his family as they hope for a safe and swift resolution to this harrowing situation.
