AP

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico - Caught in a real-life win-or-lose challenge, soccer forward Alan Pulido overpowered a kidnapper, freed himself and then called police for help — a dramatic tale that shows how tough the professional player is, or how incompetent his abductors were.

One thing the story does show is how dangerous Pulido’s home state of Tamaulipas is. Stretching south from Mexico’s border with southern Texas, Tamaulipas has long been plagued by warring drug cartels and ineffectual police.

Indeed, Pulido’s biggest worry was that police officers sent to his rescue might shoot him.

“He is asking that we tell the police that the caller is alone, with the kidnapper, don’t confuse him with the kidnapper,” according to a police report describing his 911 call obtained by The Associated Press on Monday. “They are shooting into the house, don’t get him by accident.”

Pulido had been abducted late Saturday by four gunmen, then about 24 hours later he found himself alone with one of his captors and saw his chance. Listed at 5-foot-9 (176 centimeters) and about 150 pounds (68 kilograms), Pulido wrestled away the man’s pistol, beat him into submission and used his cellphone to call Mexico’s emergency number.

The 25-year-old, who is a forward for Olympiakos in the Greek league and has played for Mexico’s national team, was in a locked house and didn’t know where he was in the Tamaulipas capital city, Ciudad Victoria. So he threatened and beat his captor while on the phone, demanding to be told where they were.

During his first call, Pulido peered out of a window and described the white two-story house with two cars, grey and red, parked in front.

In the next call, Pulido told the operator that state police had arrived outside. The operator told him to fire the pistol so they would know they were in the right spot, but Pulido said he had no bullets. He said police themselves were starting to shoot and described his shorts and tank top so they wouldn’t confuse him with the now-unconscious captor.

Once police arrived, Pulido made a third call to confirm with the operator that they were trustworthy.

Tamaulipas state Attorney General Ismael Quintanilla said at a news conference that emergency services received Pulido’s call for help early Monday due to “a careless act by his captors.”

It all sounded a bit suspicious to security analyst Alejandro Hope in Mexico City.

“One of two things: Either Alan Pulido was the victim of the most incompetent kidnappers in the world, or there’s something they don’t want to reveal,” Hope wrote. “Pulido’s kidnappers were so stupid they didn’t blindfold him, tie his hands or take his cellphone away.”

The abductors grabbed Pulido as he was returning from a party about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. His girlfriend was not taken and alerted others. Pulido’s family received the first ransom call around 1:30 p.m. Sunday and a second one a short time later, Quintanilla said.

Pulido, who hurt his hand breaking a window, made a brief appearance before reporters, but responded only to a question about how he was: “Very well, thank God.”

He went on Twitter to thank those who had prayed for his family: “They helped us a lot in this terrible experience of our lives that we do not desire for anyone.” He also thanked state and federal authorities for their help in his rescue.

The player’s Greek club expressed relief over the outcome.

“Alan is safe and sound with his family. We thank everyone for their concern and prayers during the difficult moments he has lived,” Olympiakos said via Twitter.

Tamaulipas has been plagued with violence in recent years as the Gulf and Zetas drug cartels battle for control. Both organizations also are involved in theft, extortion and kidnappings.

According to government statistics, 41 kidnappings were reported in the state in the first four months of this year compared to 78 during the same period last year. The actual number is believed to be much higher since most people do not report kidnappings to authorities.

Tamaulipas listed 179 homicides from January through April, compared to 211 during the same period last year.

ympiakos said on its Twitter page.

The kidnapping happened one week before scheduled elections for a new governor. Tamaulipas, which borders Texas, has been plagued with violence in recent years as the Gulf and Zetas drug cartels battle for control. Both organizations also are involved in theft, extortion and kidnappings.

Pulido wasn’t on the roster of Mexico’s squad for next month’s Copa America tournament.

He made his professional debut with the club Tigres of Monterrey, Mexico, but after four seasons there signed a 2014 contract with Olympiakos. He since has been embroiled in a legal dispute with Tigres over whether his Mexican contract remains valid.

National team coach Carlos Osorio recently said Pulido has the quality to be in his Copa America squad but was omitted because of his contract troubles. He had scored three goals in earlier call-ups for Mexico. He scored five goals in limited action for Olympiakos last season.