Kidnapped footballer Alan Pulido rescued in Mexico

Mexican footballer Alan Pulido has been rescued after an hours-long kidnapping in the north-east border state of Tamaulipas.

The Tamaulipas security co-ordination group for Mexico’s security forces said in a statement early on Monday that the rescue occurred shortly before midnight.

The statement says Pulido, a striker with Greek side Olympiacos, is being medically assessed.

The 25-year-old was kidnapped on Saturday night outside his hometown of Ciudad Victoria as he left a party.

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”.

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.

PA