Darwin Núñez was born on June 24, 1999, in Artigas, Uruguay, in a humble household. He was raised in a financially constrained environment, and those were a lot of challenges in Darwin's early years. His father, Bibiano Núñez, was a builder; and his mother, Silvia Ribeiro, supported the family by selling bottles of milk. Even with the adversities faced, Darwin sought refuge in football, and that became both his passion and his outlet.

Journey to Professional Football

At 14, the magic in Darwin caught the attention of former Uruguay international José Perdomo. So unlike others, his exceptional promise caused him to relocate to Montevideo to join Peñarol, one of the top football clubs in Uruguay. This pivotal step marks the beginning of his journey through professional football.

Núñez had his big break at Peñarol from 2015 to 2019, scoring 4 goals in just 14 appearances. Then his promise took him to Spain in 2019, where he plundered the net for 16 goals in 30 games for Almería. His best years in the spotlight garnered him a record €24 million move to Benfica in 2020 during which time he matured into one of the premier strikers in Europe. At Benfica, he put away 26 goals in the 2021–22 season and was awarded the Breakthrough Player of the Year in the Primeira Liga.

Liverpool and Club Career Highlights

In 2022, Darwin Núñez signed with Liverpool for a record fee of €85 million. He immediately made an impact, scoring 15 goals in his debut season and helping the Reds win the Community Shield. Despite an inconsistent 2023–24 season, where he scored 18 goals and made 13 assists in 54 appearances, Núñez remains a crucial player under new manager Arne Slot. To date, he has over 50 goals for Liverpool.

Club Career Stats:

Liverpool: 133 appearances, 39 goals, 23 assists
Benfica: 85 appearances, 48 goals, 16 assists
Almería: 32 appearances, 16 goals, 3 assists
Peñarol: 22 appearances, 4 goals, 1 assist

International Career

Núñez debuted for the Uruguayan national team by scoring against Peru and has since earned 33 caps, scoring 13 goals and providing 3 assists. He represented Uruguay in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is expected to feature in the 2024 Copa América.

Net Worth and Endorsements

As of 2024, Núñez has an estimated net worth of €15 million. His annual salary at Liverpool is €8.7 million. Beyond football, he has endorsement deals with brands like Puma and Gatorade, contributing significantly to his earnings.

Personal Life and Injury Update

Darwin’s family has been instrumental in his success. His brother sacrificed his own football dreams to support the family. Núñez is married to Lorena Mañas. Recently, he recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during an FA Cup clash against Manchester United. He returned to form with a hat-trick for Uruguay in a friendly against Mexico ahead of Copa América 2024.