Luis Diaz returns to hometown for first time since becoming Liverpool hero

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz received a hero's welcome after returning to his hometown in Colombia.

Diaz, 25, has enjoyed a phenomenal 12 months for club and country. He helped Colombia reach the semi-finals of the Copa America last summer - sharing the Golden Boot with Lionel Messi - and earned a move to Liverpool thanks to his impressive form at Porto.

The 35-cap international scored 16 goals during the first half of the season before his move in January and has continued his good form, helping the Reds win the FA Cup and EFL Cup, finish second in the Premier League and reach the Champions League final.

A video of Diaz walking around his hometown of Barrancas and greeting locals has gone viral on social media. The town has a population of just under 40,000 people, is located in the north of Colombia and is said to be one of the country's poorer areas.

Diaz grew up playing on sand pitches in Barrancas before representing Barranquilla and Atletico Junior in Colombia's top two divisions. Both teams are located in the city of Barranquilla, which is also based in the north of the country.

"For us in the Barranquilla Futbol Club is a cause of great pride to see Luis Diaz in Liverpool and the success he is having at the beginning and to know that he will succeed," Barranquilla president Ernesto Rafael Herrera told Mirror Football in February.

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"It is a motivation to keep working in the formation of young Colombian football players and for other youths, he is an example to follow, so they can achieve their dreams."

Diaz left Colombia in July 2019 to start his career in Europe. He enjoyed two good seasons at Porto before the 2021-22 campaign, scoring a combined total of 25 goals and winning the Portuguese league title, Portuguese Cup and Portuguese Super Cup.

Diaz is due to receive another two winners' medals after Porto won the Portuguese league title and Portuguese Cup this season. He played a role in both of those triumphs.

Speaking in May, Diaz's mother told reporters: "He is maturing; I see him more serene in everything he does, very disciplined in everything. He is very serious, and responsible in all his work, and that's why he has done so well.

"God gives him blessings so that he can continue to excel. He is loving with his dad, with everyone, we talk every day. He tells me, 'Mummy, you're the best mummy in the world; I love you very much'. He doesn't hold grudges against anyone because he's always been simple since he was a child, humble; I've seen him the same way since he was a child.

"He tells me, 'The manager likes me; when I play my games, he hugs me' - and he has also been able to get along with his team-mates. They welcome him for being the way he is."