Carlos Tevez's Stepfather Freed After Ransom Reportedly Paid to Kidnappers

Juventus' Carlos Tevez and his family were shaken by the news the player's stepfather had been kidnapped in Buenos Aires, but according to reports by the Argentine media, Tevez's stepfather was released after being held for eight hours.   

As reported by BBC News, Juan Alberto Cabral was kidnapped just outside of Argentina's capital and held by a group of men hoping to exchange him for ransom. A sum of £3,000 was reportedly paid, although the authorities and the family have refused to comment on any payment.

According to the Associated Press' Rob Harris, the ransom paid was much higher:

Fan sites of former club Manchester City immediately sent their thoughts and prayers to the forward and his family:

Tevez was rushed to a Turin airport as soon as news of the kidnapping broke, per Football Italia (who identify Tevez's stepfather as Segundo Tevez), but word of his stepfather's release reached him before he made the trip to Argentina.

The forward will be staying in Turin, per Football Italia, although the club have left him out of their provisional squad for the match against Cesena.

The kidnapping of Tevez's stepfather isn't the first time a relative of a football star has been abducted and held for ransom in Argentina. Juan Roman Riquelme's brother famously suffered the same fate in 2002.

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

It remains unclear whether Tevez's stepfather was targeted by the group of men or whether that group just happened to choose their victim based on his "expensive-looking car," according to the BBC's Ignacio de los Reyes, per BBC News.

Tevez and his family are yet to address the media. A spokesman for the family simply stated, "He's okay," per the BBC, and nothing further was added regarding the matter.   

For now, friends, team-mates and family of the player can breathe easy, knowing Tevez's stepfather is fine after such a scary ordeal.