Mexican authorities rescue kidnapped football star Alan Pulido

Mexican security forces have rescued football star Alan Pulido, who was found “safe and sound” hours after he was kidnapped in his crime-plagued home state of Tamaulipas, authorities said early today. Pulido, a former national team forward who plays for Greek club Olympiakos, declared he was “very well, very well, thank God” as he appeared alongside Governor Egidio Torre Cantu at a brief news conference.

The 25-year-old player was wearing a multicolor sleeveless shirt and shorts as he appeared before the cameras.

Pulido was rescued “safe and sound ... shortly before midnight” on Sunday by state and federal forces, the Tamaulipas government said in a statement, without providing details about the operation.

Pulido underwent a medical exam, the statement said.

Torre Cantu told reporters that the authorities were going over the investigation and would provide more details later on.

“The most important thing is that he is here, he’s with us,” the governor said.

Family members told authorities that six armed men snatched Pulido in his hometown of Ciudad Victoria, the capital of Tamaulipas, as he returned from a party.

The government statement said the kidnapping took place on Saturday night, contrary to previous reports that it had happened at dawn yesterday.