It’s been a rollercoaster six months for Luis Díaz’s father, Luis Manuel Díaz. Last November, he was tragically kidnapped and held hostage for 12 days by a Colombian guerrilla group. Thankfully, he was freed and reunited with his family.
Díaz junior understandably took some time away from football during the ordeal, but began playing again when Díaz senior moved temporarily to the UK to be with his son and their family.
After those tragic events, no one would have foreseen what is happening now – Díaz senior is following his son up and down the country supporting Liverpool at every game.
How do we know Luis Manuel Díaz has become a huge Liverpool fan?
The evidence is clear – Luis Manuel Díaz has been attending Liverpool games – home and away – for months now.
He was first pictured on 25 November last year, just 11 days after he was freed, in the away end at the Etihad for Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
Luis Diaz’s dad in the away end today. 🔴 🔵
#MCILIV pic.twitter.com/iDfgrqdNLA
— Lagat 🇰🇪 (@lagattke) November 25, 2023
Then, during the Reds’ FA Cup win at the Emirates in January, Díaz senior was spotted celebrating his son’s goal. Once again, the Colombian was not in the VIP section – he was simply in the away end with all the other Liverpool fans.
Luis Diaz's dad celebrating his son's FA Cup goal in the away end at Arsenal 😂💜 pic.twitter.com/5PfdwJJT7D
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 8, 2024
Most recently, he was seen last week celebrating Díaz junior’s goal in the Reds Premier League win over Luton Town. Notably, he was sporting his son’s trademark short sleeve and black glove combo.
Luis Diaz and his father wearing matching gloves 🧤🥹pic.twitter.com/C0W6IYHejl
— Liverpool FC USA (@LFCUSA) February 22, 2024
How else has Luis Manuel Díaz been spending his time?
Outside of football, Luis Manuel Díaz looks like he’s been enjoying his freedom. He recently posted a TikTok of himself dancing in which he pretended to be handcuffed – an irreverent nod to his kidnapping.
Papa Diaz 🕺🤣pic.twitter.com/eQuUnEztto
— – (@snappedlfc) March 1, 2024
Elsewhere, Díaz senior has been seen just generally having a good time. Another TikTok recently showed him dancing enthusiastically alongside a man playing an accordion.
Diaz needs to put him on a leash😭😭 pic.twitter.com/33fApbE8zL
— J7 (@lfcJ7_) March 1, 2024
It’s one of the feelgood stories of the Premier League in recent times – a man facing such testing circumstances only to be freed and becoming a huge Liverpool fan. Here’s to Papa Díaz!