Mexican authorities confirm search for Alan Pulido

Alan Pulido, a Mexican striker for the Greek soccer team Olympiakos, was kidnapped in the northeastern Mexican state of Tamaulipas, authorities said on Sunday.

Authorities in Tamaulipas tweeted that there is a "special operation" to find the 25-year-old Mexico national team player, who disappeared in his hometown of Ciudad Victoria on Saturday night.

Ismael Quintanilla, Tamaulipas state prosecutor, told reporters that Pulido was intercepted by armed men after leaving a party.

"At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Alan," the Olympiakos team tweeted. "We sincerely hope that this ordeal will soon end and that he will return home safely."

Tamaulipas, which abuts the U.S. state of Texas, is an especially violent part of Mexico.

Pulido was a member of the Mexican national team that went to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He has also played for the Greek team Levadiakos and the Mexican club Tigres.