Footballer Alan Pulido, in legal dispute with local club, kidnapped in Mexico
Mexican footballer Alan Pulido has been kidnapped in the country's northern border state of Tamaulipas.
Pulido plays for Greek team Olympiacos and has made several appearances for Mexico's national team.
State officials said the 25-year-old was kidnapped near his home town of Ciudad Victoria on Sunday after leaving a party.
He is reported to have been abducted when a convoy of vans blocked the road after he left the party. He was with his girlfriend, who was released unharmed.
Mexique : l'attaquant international de l'Olympiakos Alan Pulido kidnappé https://t.co/rvM36LbEYY pic.twitter.com/jLsZ2n8YxG
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) May 29, 2016
Authorities have not given more details about the kidnapping or its motive.
Pulido made his debut and played for several seasons with the club Tigres of Monterrey, whose Twitter account expressed solidarity with the player's family "in the difficult situation they are experiencing".
.@TigresOficial expresa su solidaridad con la familia de @puliidooo ante la difícil situación que atraviesan.
— Club Tigres 🐯 (@TigresOficial) May 29, 2016
Pulido left Tigres in 2014 to play in Europe, though he has been in a dispute with the Mexican club about whether his contract there continues to be valid.
National team coach Carlos Osorio recently said Pulido has the quality to be in the squad, but was left out due to the legal dispute.
He has scored five times in eight appearances with Olympiacos this season.
