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| Alan Pulido: Seized Mexico footballer freed | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| International football player Alan Pulido has been rescued in north-east Mexico hours after his kidnapping, officials say. | |
| Mr Pulido, 25, appeared with a bandaged hand and told reporters he was "very well". | |
| Officials said the rescue operation was carried out on Sunday night, without giving more details. | |
| The striker plays for the Greek team Olympiakos and has made several appearances for Mexico's national team. | The striker plays for the Greek team Olympiakos and has made several appearances for Mexico's national team. |
| Pulido was kidnapped near Ciudad Victoria, in Tamaulipas state, on Saturday night after leaving a party, officials said in a statement (in Spanish). | |
| Earlier reports said his abduction had taken place in the early hours of Sunday. | |
| He was with his girlfriend when their car was surrounded by several trucks, local media reported. | |
| Six masked men reportedly took the striker away "by force" while his girlfriend was left unharmed in the car park where the incident took place. | Six masked men reportedly took the striker away "by force" while his girlfriend was left unharmed in the car park where the incident took place. |
| Authorities did not give details of the rescue operation, which included federal and local officials. | |
| Appearing outside a police office, the player told reporters: "[I am] very well, thank God.'' | |
| Tamaulipas is one of Mexico's most violent states, and Mexico recently deployed more security forces to tackle cartels operating in the area. | Tamaulipas is one of Mexico's most violent states, and Mexico recently deployed more security forces to tackle cartels operating in the area. |
| The country has one of the world's highest kidnapping rates, with government figures saying some 1,000 people are abducted every year. | The country has one of the world's highest kidnapping rates, with government figures saying some 1,000 people are abducted every year. |
| Others argue that the true figure could be almost 10 times as high. | Others argue that the true figure could be almost 10 times as high. |
| Pulido joined Olympiakos last July and finished the season with six goals in 15 games. | |
| He was part of Mexico's squad at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but was not called up for the upcoming Copa America tournament. |