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Alan Pulido: Seized Mexico footballer freed Alan Pulido: Freed Mexico footballer is 'safe and sound'
(about 5 hours later)
International football player Alan Pulido has been rescued in north-east Mexico hours after he was kidnapped, officials say. International football player Alan Pulido is "safe and sound" after police rescued him from kidnappers who seized him in north-eastern Mexico.
Pulido, 25, appeared with a bandaged hand and told reporters he was "very well". Pulido, 25, was abducted at gunpoint on Saturday night in his home town of Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas state.
Officials said the rescue operation was carried out on Sunday night, without giving more details. The striker, who plays for Greek team Olympiakos, phoned police while his captors were distracted, officials say.
The striker plays for the Greek team Olympiakos and has made several appearances for Mexico's national team. A 38-year-old man has been arrested. Officials say he confessed to belonging to a local criminal gang.
Pulido was kidnapped in Ciudad Victoria, in Tamaulipas state, on Saturday night, officials said in a statement (in Spanish). Police are searching for another three men believed to have been involved in the kidnapping.
Earlier reports said his abduction had taken place in the early hours of Sunday. Pulido's car was surrounded by several vehicles as he was leaving a party with his girlfriend on Saturday night.
He had left a party with his girlfriend when their car was surrounded by several trucks, local media reported. Masked men took him away, leaving his girlfriend 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. Pulido's family received a phone call on Sunday demanding a ransom payment, state prosecutor Ismael Quintanilla told journalists.
Authorities did not give details of the rescue operation, which included federal and local officials. It is not clear whether the family were planning to meet the kidnappers' demands or how big the ransom demand was.
Appearing outside a police office in the early hours of Monday, the player told reporters: "[I am] very well, thank God.'' Mr Quintanilla said that the security forces were able to locate Pulido thanks to the phone call he managed to make to police.
Tamaulipas Governor, Egidio Torre Cantu, said: "The most important thing is that he is here, he is with us, and that's what we want to tell you." He said no shots had been fired and Pulido only sustained a minor injury.
One of his hands bandaged, Pulido told reporters early hours on Monday: "[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.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.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.