About Darwin Núñez
Darwin Núñez, the Uruguayan professional footballer, currently plays as a striker for Premier League club Liverpool and represents the Uruguay national team. He began his football journey at Peñarol's youth academy and made his first-team debut in 2017. After a successful stint at Peñarol, he joined Almería in August 2019 and later signed for Benfica in 2020 for a club-record fee of €24 million. In his second season with Benfica, he clinched the Bola de Prata award for being the top scorer in the Primeira Liga with 26 goals in 28 games, earning him honors in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year and Primeira Liga Player of the Year. Liverpool acquired his services in June 2022 for a transfer fee of €75 million (£64 million). Núñez made a memorable debut for Liverpool, scoring in the FA Community Shield victory. On the international front, he debuted for Uruguay in October 2019 and later represented his country at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His impressive performances have earned him the shirt number 9.
Darwin Núñez Early Life & Family
Darwin Núñez, born on 24 June 1999 in Artigas, Uruguay, goes by his full name, Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro. He is of Uruguayan-White ethnicity and holds Uruguayan nationality. He follows Christianity and his zodiac sign falls under Cancer. His parents are Bibiano Núñez and Silvia Ribeiro, and he has an elder brother named Junior. Darwin grew up in an impoverished family, with his father working as a builder and his mother selling milk bottles. As of 2023, he celebrated his 24th birthday.
At a young age, Núñez started his football journey playing for local clubs La Luz and San Miguel. At 14, he was scouted by former Uruguayan international José Perdomo, leading him to join the ranks of Peñarol in the capital city, Montevideo. Struggling with homesickness, he returned to his hometown to be with his family, but a year later, he bravely went back to Peñarol. Unfortunately, at 17, he faced a setback when he suffered a cruciate ligament injury, which kept him out of action for over a year and required two surgeries. During this challenging time, his older brother Junior made a sacrifice, quitting the club and giving up football to support the family, believing that Darwin had a better future in the sport.
Darwin Núñez Football Career
Peñarol
- Núñez made his debut for the Peñarol first team in the Primera División on November 22, 2017, as a second-half substitute for Maxi Rodríguez in a 2–1 away loss against River Plate Montevideo. However, the following month, he underwent knee surgery for the second time.
- He achieved a significant milestone on October 13, 2018, when he scored his first professional goal, securing the opener in a 2–0 home win over Fénix.
- Another remarkable moment in his career came on July 14, 2019, when he scored a hat-trick in a commanding 4–0 victory against Boston River.
Almería
- On August 29, 2019, Almería, a Spanish Segunda División club, officially announced the signing of Núñez on a five-year contract, with reports suggesting it to be a club record fee of US$4.5 million, along with an additional $1.5 million in variables.
- He made his debut for the club on October 3, coming on as a substitute at half-time during a 4–2 league defeat against Sporting Gijón.
- Later, on October 27, 2019, he started for the first time and scored his debut goal for Almería in a 3–2 home victory against Extremadura, converting a penalty.
- Remarkably, in his single season at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, he emerged as the joint-fourth top scorer in the league with 16 goals, alongside compatriot Cristhian Stuani, achieving this tally in twice as many appearances.
Benfica
- In the 2020-21 season, he adapted to Portugal after signing a five-year contract with Benfica, making a club-record transfer fee of €24 million from Almería.
- He impressed from the start, providing five assists in his first four league games, the best in the league.
- He scored his debut goals for the club with a hat-trick against Lech Poznań in the UEFA Europa League group stage, followed by his first Primeira Liga goal against B SAD.
- He returned after a COVID-19 infection and scored Benfica's second goal against Lech Poznań in the Europa League group stage.
- Throughout the season, he faced the effects of COVID-19 and injuries, but still managed six league goals and ten assists, contributing to Benfica's third-place finish and qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round.
- In the 2021-22 season, he had a breakthrough performance, becoming the league's top scorer with 31 goals.
- He secured impressive victories for Benfica, including a hat-trick against B-SAD and a decisive goal against Ajax in the Champions League round-of-16.
- Despite an outstanding performance against Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals, his team was eliminated.
- Núñez was praised by Liverpool's manager, Jürgen Klopp, and finished the season with 26 goals in 28 league games, receiving the prestigious Bola de Prata award as the Primeira Liga's top scorer and being named Player of the Year.
Liverpool
- On 13 June 2022, Benfica agreed to transfer Núñez to Premier League club Liverpool for a fee of €75 million, with an additional €25 million in add-ons.
- The deal was officially confirmed the next day, making him Liverpool's record transfer with a potential overall fee of £85 million.
- After joining Liverpool, Núñez showcased his talent in a pre-season friendly against RB Leipzig, scoring four goals in just forty minutes.
- He made his competitive debut for the club in the FA Community Shield against Manchester City, contributing to a 3-1 victory.
- He continued to impress with his first league goal and an assist in a match against Fulham. However, he faced criticism for missing some significant chances in games, but his manager Jürgen Klopp defended him, highlighting his potential.
- Throughout the 2022-23 season, he made 42 appearances and scored 15 goals in all competitions, earning the love and support of the Liverpool fans despite some mixed performances.
- Many believed that he was a "work in progress" and deserved time to settle into the club and grow as a player.
- Ahead of the upcoming 2023-24 season, he was assigned the number 9 on his shirt during the preseason, having previously worn the number 27.
- Expressing his delight, he mentioned feeling "really happy" and "very proud" to wear the prestigious number 9. He acknowledged the players who had represented the number before him and saw it as his opportunity to carry on its legacy.
Darwin Núñez International Career
- Núñez, a former Uruguay youth international, was part of the under-20 team that achieved a third-place finish in the 2019 South American U-20 Championship.
- He further showcased his talent in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he scored in the opening match, a 3–1 victory over Norway.
- In the final group match, he netted the opening goal in a 2–0 win against New Zealand, helping Uruguay top Group C.
- Despite his contributions, Uruguay was eliminated from the tournament after a 3–1 loss to Ecuador in the round of 16.
- Additionally, Núñez was a member of the under-22 team that secured fourth place in the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru, and he scored in their opening 2–0 win over the hosts.
- He received his first call-up to the Uruguay senior team for friendly matches against Costa Rica and the United States in September 2019.
- He made his international debut on 16 October, coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute during a friendly match against Peru. Five minutes later, he scored his first goal for the national team, securing a 1–1 draw.
- In June 2021, he was selected in the final 26-man squad for the 2021 Copa América, but unfortunately, a right knee injury sidelined him for two months, causing him to miss the tournament.
- Despite the setback, he was later included in Uruguay's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. However, Uruguay faced an early exit from the tournament, being eliminated in the group stages after finishing below South Korea based on goal difference.
Darwin Núñez Transfer News
- Liverpool: On July 1, 2022, Darwin Núñez transferred to Liverpool from Benfica for a reported fee of 75 million euros.
- Benfica: On September 4, 2020, Núñez moved to Benfica from Almería for a club-record fee of 24 million euros.
- Almería: On August 29, 2019, Núñez joined Almería from Peñarol for a transfer fee of 4 million euros.
- Peñarol: On July 1, 2017, Núñez began his professional career with Peñarol, joining their U19 team. The details of the transfer are not mentioned.
Darwin Núñez Awards & Achievements
Peñarol
- Uruguayan Primera División: 2017, 2018
Benfica
- Taça de Portugal runner-up: 2020–21
- Taça da Liga runner-up: 2021–22
Liverpool
- FA Community Shield: 2022
Individual
- Cosme Damião Awards – Footballer of the Year: 2021
- Primeira Liga Forward of the Month: September 2021
- Primeira Liga Player of the Month: September 2021
- Primeira Liga Team of the Year: 2021–22
- Primeira Liga Player of the Year: 2021–22
- SJPF Player of the Month: April 2022
- Primeira Liga Top Scorer: 2021–22
- CNID Footballer of the Year: 2022
- Standard Chartered Men's Player of the Month: November 2022, February 2023
Darwin Núñez Net Worth
Darwin Núñez is a professional football player currently representing the Premier League club Liverpool. With a net worth estimated to be around $3 million as of 2023, he secured a lucrative 5-year contract with Liverpool F.C., amounting to £46,650,000, and an annual average salary of £9,330,000. In the same year, his base salary is set at £7,280,000, with a corresponding cap hit. His remarkable talents have resulted in a market value of approximately €65 million as of June 20, 2023. Núñez has earned his wealth primarily through his successful football career, including contracts, salaries, bonuses, and endorsements. Notably, he made significant transfers, such as signing with Almería in August 2019 for a club record fee of US$4.5 million plus $1.5 million in variables, and later, joining Benfica in September 2020 for a Portuguese football history-making fee of €24 million. This financial success has enabled him to lead a luxurious lifestyle, reflecting his status as a successful and accomplished footballer.
Darwin Núñez Dating & Girlfriend
Darwin Núñez is currently in a happy and committed relationship with his beautiful girlfriend, Lorena Manas, who is an actress from Uruguay. The couple has been together for an extended period, starting their romance during his time playing for Penarol. They share a strong bond and are blessed with a son named Darwin, born on 3rd January 2022. Despite being parents together, they are not officially married, leading some to believe otherwise. Nevertheless, they continue to live their lives joyfully and contentedly as a loving and devoted couple. He is straight when it comes to his sexual orientation.
Darwin Núñez Height & Weight
Darwin Núñez is a handsome footballer, standing tall at 1.87 m or 6 feet and 2 inches, with a well-built, athletic physique weighing 81 kg. His captivating dark brown eyes complement his jet-black hair, adding to his charm. He takes great care of his body, maintaining it diligently through a healthy diet and regular fitness routines. With his present healthy physique, he is highly conscious of his food intake, ensuring he keeps his body in peak condition.
