Thaindian News

Rio de Janeiro, June 16 (IANS) Jorge Valdivia of Chile, who was kidnapped with his wife briefly, has agreed to remain at Brazilian club Palmeiras until at least the end of the month.

Earlier this week, the Chile international midfielder said his career in Brazil was finished after he and his wife were abducted and robbed in Sao Paulo last week.

Having travelled to Santiago to recover from the incident last weekend, Valdivia returned to Sao Paulo Tuesday to negotiate his release, reported Xinhua.

But Palmeiras officials have convinced the 28-year-old to remain in Brazil until the end of the club’s Copa do Brasil campaign.

“Even though I’m still emotionally shaken, I don’t want the team to be affected by speculation about whether I will stay or go,” Valdivia said Friday.

“To the contrary, I want to help Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil and in the Brazilian championship.”

The Sao Paulo club is a firm favourite to advance to the Copa do Brasil final later this month after winning Wednesday’s semi-final first leg against Gremio 2-0 away from home.

Palmeiras football manager Cesar Sampaio said the club would support Valdivia regardless of his decision.

“We understand this is a tough time for him and think that being with his teammates and playing will help him get his life back to normal,” Sampaio said.