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In a revelation that intertwines personal dreams with professional aspirations, Luis Diaz's father, Luis Manuel Diaz, has disclosed his son's long-held ambition to play for Spanish football giants Barcelona.
This disclosure comes in the wake of the Liverpool winger's sensational performance against Brazil and amidst an emotional backdrop following his father's release from a kidnapping ordeal.
Luis Diaz, 26, has been a standout performer for Liverpool since his £37million transfer from Porto in January 2022. Filling the void left by Sadio Mane's departure, Diaz has become a vital part of Jurgen Klopp's attacking strategy. Despite a knee injury hampering his first full season, Diaz has bounced back, establishing himself as a key player in the current campaign.
The recent revelation by Diaz's father, who was kidnapped for 12 days before being rescued, sheds light on the Colombian winger's aspirations. Speaking to Colombian TV channel Win Sports, as reported by Noticias RCN, Luis Manuel Diaz said, "The truth is that I know very little about Barcelona at the moment. It is true that Luis is a loyal Barcelona fan and it would be his dream to go there."
This statement comes at a time when Diaz's career is on an upward trajectory at Liverpool, where he has almost four years left on his contract. Despite the speculation about a potential move to a financially troubled Barcelona, Liverpool remains unfazed, with Diaz continuing to be a fan favorite and a crucial contributor to Klopp's plans.
The emotional gravity of Diaz's situation was highlighted in Colombia's recent 2-1 World Cup qualifying win against Brazil, where Diaz scored twice. The poignant scenes of his father collapsing in celebration, hands aloft and looking skyward, came just days after his release from captivity.
Diaz, who signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with Liverpool, has been a consistent starter this season. His absence in the game against Nottingham Forest coincided with the news of his parents' kidnapping. In a touching gesture, Diaz made a goalscoring return against Luton while his father was still held captive, revealing a message under his jersey pleading for his father's release.