Luis Fabiano was bought by a Portuguese club for a large fee

On Friday gunmen abducted Sandra Helena Clemente from her house in Campinas, north-west of Sao Paulo.

It is the third time a footballer's mother has been kidnapped in four months in Brazil, and the second kidnapping in the past two weeks.

The FC Porto star asked Brazilian media to "maintain their distance" and not to give out information.

In a statement from his agent, Mr Fabiano said he would try and keep the media as best informed as he could, according to the AFP news agency.

Gunmen

Police have not yet said whether they have received a ransom demand for Mrs Clemente but money appears to be the likely motive.

After helping Brazil to victory in the Copa America last July, Mr Fabiano signed for Portuguese club Porto in a deal reportedly worth $14m (�7.3m).

Mr Fabiano has decided to not immediately return to Brazil, according to Brazilian news website IG.

Police say Mrs Clemente was on her way to meet a friend when she was snatched by two gunmen, who bundled her into a car before driving off.

Two weeks ago, the mother of Sao Paulo forward Grafite was taken hostage. She was freed by police a day later.

Less fortunate was the mother of Robinho, a player hailed by some as the new Pele.