Authorities rescue footballer Alan Pulido after kidnapping in Mexico

An international footballer, who was kidnapped in Mexico, has been rescued, according to authorities in the country.

Mon, 30 May, 2016 - 08:50

Mexican footballer Alan Pulido has been rescued safe and sound 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.

Pulido was taken when an armed gang used a convoy of vans to block the road after he left a party.

The Olympiakos striker was with his girlfriend, who was released unharmed soon afterwards.

State officials said the 25-year-old was kidnapped near his home town of Ciudad Victoria on Sunday after leaving a party.

He is said to have been abducted when a convoy of vans blocked the road after he left the party.

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.