Darwin Núñez is a professional Uruguayan footballer who has amassed a net worth of $40 million. Known for his role as a forward for both Liverpool and the Uruguay national team, Núñez’s career has seen rapid growth since his humble beginnings. After starting in his native Uruguay, he moved through clubs like Almería, Benfica, and eventually Liverpool, where he became one of the most expensive transfers in the club’s history at €75 million.
Early Life and Challenges
Born on June 24, 1999, in Artigas, Uruguay, Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro came from modest beginnings. His father, Bibiano, worked as a builder, while his mother, Silvia, sold milk bottles. Growing up in poverty, football represented a potential escape for young Darwin. His early football journey began with local clubs La Luz and San Miguel, where he quickly attracted the attention of scouts.
At the age of 12, Núñez left his family behind in Artigas to join the prestigious Peñarol youth academy in Montevideo. The transition was challenging, as he faced severe homesickness. After returning to his hometown for some time, Núñez rejoined Peñarol, where he encountered a major setback—a cruciate ligament injury that kept him sidelined for over a year. During his recovery, his older brother abandoned his football career to help support their family, which fueled Darwin’s determination to succeed.
Career Progression
Núñez made his first-team debut for Peñarol in 2017 and scored his first goal in 2018. In 2019, he moved to Spain, signing with Almería for a club-record fee of around $4.5 million. His impressive performance, scoring 16 goals in the Segunda División, led to a high-profile move to Benfica in 2020 for €24 million. Núñez made an immediate impact, notably scoring a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League.
His time at Benfica culminated in a remarkable 2021–22 season, where he scored 26 goals and won the Bola de Prata as the top scorer of the Primeira Liga. This led to a record €75 million transfer to Liverpool in 2022. Despite an injury-plagued season, Núñez contributed to Liverpool’s EFL Cup victory and became a key player for the club.
International Career and Achievements
Núñez’s international career began with Uruguay’s youth teams, where he participated in the 2019 South American U-20 Championship and the FIFA U-20 World Cup. His senior debut came in 2019, and he represented Uruguay in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, although his team was eliminated in the group stage. In 2024, he was called up for the Copa América, where he scored his first international hat-trick in a friendly against Mexico.
Personal Life
Núñez is in a relationship with Lorena Mañas, and they welcomed their first child in January 2022. Fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese, Núñez has established himself not only as a key player for Liverpool but also as an influential figure in international football.
