LIVERPOOL star Luis Diaz’s dad has been hospitalised in Colombia with chest pains 13 months after his 12-day kidnap ordeal.
Dad-of-four Luis Manuel Diaz, 58, is undergoing tests after being transferred to a specialist centre from a hospital in his native town of Barrancas that he was initially admitted to yesterday morning.
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He is said to have been given oxygen and stabilised at Our Lady of Pilar Hospital before being taken to the Cesar Cardiovascular Institute in Valledupar, a 90-minute drive away.
Local news outlet El Pilon reported late yesterday that Luis Manuel, better known by his nickname Mane in his homeland, would undergo cardiac catheterisation in the coming hours.
The common procedure involves moving a flexible tube called a catheter through a blood vessel to the heart.
His family have denied claims he suffered a heart attack and medics are said to be looking at the possibility his chest pain could be linked to a strained muscle.
The footballer’s dad has not referenced his health scare on his social media.
But he was quoted as telling local journalist Hamilton Daza: “I thank God for keeping me healthy again.
“I’m a bit worried but thanks to God everything is fine, it’s nothing serious.
“The doctors have certified it’s just pain and has nothing to do with heart problems.
“There’s no need for anyone to be concerned. There’s ‘Mane’ for a while.”
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He is expected to be released from hospital in time to see in the New Year with his family back at home.
The specialist hospital where Diaz’s dad is being treated confirmed in a statement released yesterday: “Luis Manuel Diaz Jimenez is hospitalised in our centre receiving comprehensive specialised medical care.
“He will remain under strict management and surveillance with the aim of obtaining the best results for his health and his swift return to his family.”
Diaz was a substitute in his side’s 3-1 Boxing Day win over Leicester and wasn’t used by manager Arne Slot.
His father’s kidnap ordeal only came to to an end after 12 days when he was freed in a handover involving a Colombian priest close to the Venezuelan border on November 9 last year.
His son continued playing through the harrowing episode, scoring a late goal after coming on as a substitute in Liverpool’s November 5 2023 win over Luton before returning to Colombia for international duty and being reunited with his dad in emotional scenes following his release.
He went on to score two goals for his country in a historic victory over Brazil in a match his father watched from the stands.
The ELN, branded a terrorist organisation by the US government and the EU, admitted responsibility for the kidnapping before Luis Manuel’s release.
One of the men involved, a friend of Luis Manuel called Yerdinson Bolivar Bolivar, was sentenced to just over four years in prison in October after admitting to his part in the kidnap.
Another three men arrested over the crime have yet to be tried.
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