The kidnappers had demanded $325,000 (6 million pesos) from Pulido’s family for his safe return, but the athlete overpowered and beat one of his captors so badly that he had to be hospitalized.
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Pulido was intercepted by a group of attackers after leaving a party late on Saturday night in the notoriously risky Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
The Tamaulipas Coordination Group – who organised the rescue – released a statement which read: “A joint operation of federal and state forces shortly before midnight on Sunday May 29 managed to rescue professional footballer Alan Pulido safe and sound”. Pulido is a forward for the Greek team Olympiacos and has made several appearances for Mexicoís national team, though he wasnít called up for the upcoming Copa America tournament. He otherwise came out of the ordeal unscathed.
“[I am] very well, thank God”, Pulido told reporters during a news conference.
“Pulido is now being medically evaluated and more details on the rescue operation will be sent out later”, it said. The abductors had asked for a ransom but none was paid. “We thank everyone for their concern and prayers during the hard moments he has lived”.
Pulido who was part of Mexico’s 2014 World Cup team in Brazil, joined Olympiakos last summer. It was unclear whether they were connected to the feared Zetas drug cartel, which controls much of the state. Both organizations also are involved in theft, extortion and kidnappings. He scored three goals in earlier call-ups for Mexico.
Pulido joined the Greek side a year ago and scored six goals in 15 games.
According to government statistics, there were 41 reported kidnappings in Tamaulipas in the first four months of this year compared to 78 during the same period last year.
Tamaulipas listed 179 homicides from January through April, compared to 211 during the same period past year.
Mexico saw another soccer-related kidnapping in 2005, when Cruz Azul’s Argentine coach, Ruben Omar Romano, was abducted in Mexico City.
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Some Tamaulipas roads are so risky that the federal police sometimes escort travelers in protective convoys.
