FORMER Mexico star Alan Pulido has achieved a lot during his 17-year career, having been part of World Cup, Champions League and Europa League teams.
But it was in 2016 when he did the unthinkable…
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Alan Pulido competed for Mexico in the 2014 World Cup Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Two years later, Pulido was kidnapped in Mexico but escaped after heroically taking down his abductors Credit: AFP – Getty
After a successful season with Olympiacos, whom he joined just a year after helping Mexico to the last 16 of the 2014 World Cup, Pulido flew back to his hometown of Ciudad Victoria.
The striker’s city belongs to the state of Tamaulipas, which is notoriously violent due to high cartel activity, with the US State Department advising not to travel due to “crime and kidnapping”.
But that didn’t stop the then-Mexico international from going to a party after an impressive campaign that saw him earn a title in addition to being part of the first ever Greek team to beat a Premier League side away.
Pulido played a bit part role but still amassed a total of six goals as well as three assists in 17 appearances and was on the bench when Marco Silva masterminded a legendary 3-2 victory against Arsenal at the Emirates that put the former Fulham boss on the map.
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The forward went to the party on May 28 with his then-girlfriend but a night of fun turned into a nightmare as he made his way back home in the later hours.
Pulido’s BMW was surrounded by several vehicles and four masked gunmen whisked him away, leaving his partner unharmed.
The kidnappers forced the footballer away and called his family demanding a ransom payment worth six million pesos (£242,000).
But the abductors’ plans thankfully went up in flames 24 hours into the player’s ordeal.
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Pulido has scored 150 goals throughout his senior career, so it comes as no surprise that he knows how to see and take advantage of an opportunity.
When he was left alone with one of his kidnappers, the Mexican star attacked the guard, disarmed him and forced him to flee.
Pulido had completely turned the tables and switched his attention to another abductor who was completely taken by surprise as the gang members lost complete control of the situation.
The ex-Tigres star overpowered him as well and took his mobile phone away to call the police.
Cop records show Pulido continued to beat his kidnapper during the call as he forced him to disclose their location.
The then-Olympiacos ace’s Hollywood-like escape reached a dramatic finale upon the authorities’ arrival as he had the hindsight to describe his colourful tank top attire to avoid getting hit during a potential shoot-off.
The story thankfully had a happy ending as a visibly shaken Pulido appeared to be in good condition, with the only exception being a bandaged hand that was a result of him punching a window to escape.
The centre-forward was reunited with his family but kept it brief when met with cameras.
A shocked Pulido simply said: “[I am] Very well, thank God.”
Mexican police arrested one of the kidnappers who confessed to belonging to a local criminal gang with the other three fleeing after getting vanquished by the former Guadalajara star’s heroism.
Pulido disarmed two kidnappers and called the police Credit: Alamy
Pulido had an impressive season with Olympiacos in the Champions League and Europa League Credit: AP:Associated Press
Local reports suggested the perpetrators may have had links to organised crime groups operating in Tamaulipas, including the former cartel known as Los Zetas.
Pulido’s troubles left some bad memories but that didn’t stop him from returning that same year to Mexico for Guadalajara where he stayed until 2019 before moving to the MLS with Sporting Kansas City.
The striker was asked about his ordeal upon his arrival in the US but even after four years still struggled to talk about it.
Pulido told ESPN: “I don’t like to talk about those things because they are very delicate, but it teaches you a bad lesson.
“They are bad memories that I don’t want to go through again and don’t wish on anyone. It was a difficult moment in my life. It makes you sad to see it, and it’s not just in my city but in all of Mexico.
“The reality is that I never imagined the violence would get to this level, with kids and women [affected]. Honestly, those types of stories embarrass the country.”
Pulido – now 35-years-old – is currently a free agent after a year playing for Guadalajara, whom he went back to in 2025 when he left Kansas City.
The Mexican’s earned his final international cap in 2021 and left the national team with a total of five goals in 20 appearances.
At the time of his abduction, Mexico had one of the world’s highest kidnapping rates with government figures saying some 1,000 people were taken every year.
But even that dreadful night didn’t shake Pulido’s love for his country as he continued to show his devotion during his stint in America.
And so it’s safe to assume the proud Mexican won’t be far away from Javier Aguirre’s side this summer when his country co-hosts the 2026 World Cup alongside the US and Canada.
