10 fun facts about Darwin Núñez

Darwin Núñez, born on 24 June 1999 in Uruguay. He is a professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Liverpool, a Premier League club, as well as the Uruguay national team. Núñez made his debut in the Primera División on 22 November 2017.

In August 2019, Núñez signed a five-year contract with Almería, a Spanish Segunda División club, for a reported fee of US$4.5 million, which was rumored to be a club record. The deal also included an additional $1.5 million in variables. He made his debut for Almería on 3 October as a substitute during halftime.

On 4 September 2020, Núñez transferred to Benfica, a Portuguese club, for a club record fee of €24 million. This transfer was also significant for Almería and the Segunda División, as they received 20% of any future transfer involving Núñez. On 13 June 2022, Benfica reached an agreement with Liverpool, a Premier League club, for the transfer of Núñez. The fee for the transfer was €75 million, with an additional €25 million in add-ons.

The following day, Liverpool officially confirmed the deal, stating that the overall fee could potentially reach £85 million at a later date. This transfer made Núñez the record transfer for Liverpool. On January 10, 2024, Núñez contributed two assists for his teammates during a EFL Cup semi-final match against Fulham, propelling him to become Liverpool’s leading assist-maker in all competitions with a total of 10 assists.

Núñez, a former Uruguay youth international, was a member of the under-20 team that achieved a third-place finish in the 2019 South American U-20 Championship. Additionally, he represented Uruguay in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Núñez also played for the under-22 team, which secured a fourth-place finish at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru. In September 2019, he received a call-up to the Uruguay senior team for friendly matches against Costa Rica and the United States, making his international debut on October 16. Núñez’s impressive performances earned him a spot in Uruguay’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Some fun facts about him include;

1. Rags to riches

Nunez’s journey to success has not always been smooth sailing. Despite now being one of the wealthiest individuals in his home country, he faced numerous challenges while trying to make a name for himself in Europe earlier in his career.

His story is a true rags-to-riches tale, as he rose from obscurity to fame. Born and raised in Artigas, one of Uruguay’s most underprivileged neighborhoods, Nunez grew up in a less fortunate family. His mother worked as a bottle-hawker, while his father was a construction worker.

Putting food on the table was a constant struggle for his parents, and they often had to make sacrifices. Nunez once revealed that his mother would sometimes go to bed hungry in order to provide for him and his brother.

2. A return home

At the age of 14, he caught the attention of Penarol, one of Uruguay’s most renowned clubs, following impressive trials. However, this opportunity necessitated his relocation to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.

Soon after settling in, he began to yearn for his family and experienced homesickness. Recognizing the importance of familial support, the club made the compassionate decision to allow the young prodigy to return to his former team, San Miguel de Artigas, in order to be closer to his loved ones.

A year later, with the assurance of regular visits from his parents, he rejoined the Penarol academy and resumed his football journey.

3. Almost QUIT football at 17

Nunez’s development was suddenly interrupted when he experienced a serious ACL injury. Although he was initially projected to recover in six months, it actually took him nearly 18 months to return to regular play due to various setbacks.

Following surgery on the injury in February 2017, the emotional impact was so significant that he almost abandoned his dream.

4. Caught attention of clubs

Following just one season in Spain, the youthful striker garnered significant interest during the 2021 summer transfer window, particularly from Premier League clubs. Brighton and Southampton were said to be keen on acquiring the Uruguayan forward, with the latter submitting a bid. Nevertheless, Benfica emerged victorious in securing his services for a record-breaking fee.

5. Compared to Fernando Torres

Liverpool supporters on social platforms have drawn similarities between Nunez and ‘prime Fernando Torres’ because of his unique and unpredictable playing style. There is even a compilation of their similar striking abilities on YouTube.

Rafael Benitez, the ex-Liverpool manager who coached Torres, shares this view. In an interview with Sky Sports, Benitez expressed his belief that Nunez has the potential to emulate Torres and become a legendary figure at Anfield, despite facing challenges at the beginning of his career.

6. Recommended by Suarez

Despite Nunez’s impressive goal-scoring record in the second-tier of Spanish football, Barcelona did not heed Luis Suarez’s recommendation to sign him as a long-term replacement at the Camp Nou. Instead, Nunez eventually joined Liverpool, one of Suarez’s former clubs, later in his career.

7. Nicknamed ‘The Pigeon’ and ‘Plane’

Nunez, commonly referred to as ‘El Pichón’, is a nickname frequently used for him. In Spanish, it translates to ‘The Pigeon’ and is a nod to his birthplace, Artigas, renowned for its abundant pigeon population.

Since Nunez’s transfer to Benfica, this nickname has gained significant popularity, with fans composing chants to show their support. Embracing the moniker, the Uruguayan footballer incorporates it into his social media updates and has even sported a jersey with ‘El Pichón’ imprinted on the back during a post-match interview.

8. Loves tattoos

Nunez exhibits a profound admiration for tattoos and body artwork. His body showcases an extensive collection of tattoos. The term ‘Family’ is exquisitely embroidered on his chest, serving as the central focus.

His left arm and right shin display captivating depictions of flowers, as well as sketches portraying mythical and religious figures from history. Furthermore, a lion tattoo adorns his back. According to Nunez, the lion symbolizes strength and courage, qualities that he aspires to embody both on and off the field.

This majestic creature also represents his resolute, determined, and audacious persona as both an athlete and an individual.

9. Loves going to beach

Nunez, like many footballers, has his own unique way of spending his leisure time during vacations. Instead of flaunting luxury cars and mansions, he prefers to showcase his love for nature by indulging in water sports like jet skiing and taking leisurely walks along the shore.

10. Variety of hairstyles

Darwin Núñez is known for his frequent changes in hairstyles, often sharing his new looks on social media. With his long, silky hair, it’s no wonder he enjoys experimenting with different styles!