Darwin Nunez is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a forward for Benfica in the Portuguese league. He joined the team from Spanish Segunda División side Almería. The young player crashed onto the European football scene in 2021 after he played a significant role in Benfica’s defeat of Barcelona in the Champions League.
Nunez, who also plays for the Uruguayan national team, has established himself as a worthy footballer and he has skyrocketed to fame in recent years. He is a winner of the Cosme Damiao Awards for Footballer of the Year in 2021. Around the same time, he was Primeira Liga’s Forward of the Month and Primeira Liga’s Player of the Month in September 2021. Let’s take a look at important facts about Darwin Nunez.
Profile summary of Darwin Núñez
- Full Name: Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro
- Date of Birth: 24 June 1999
- Age: 23 years (as of 2022)
- Place of Birth: Artigas, Uruguay
- Ethnicity: Uruguayan
- Nationality: Uruguayan
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Education: La Luz and San Miguel de Artigas
- Profession: Professional Footballer
- Net Worth: £3 Million
- Salary: £39,000 weekly
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches
- Weight: 81 kg
- Position: Forward
- Current Team: Benfica
- Marital Status: Dating
- Girlfriend: Lorena Mañas
- Sibling: Junior Nunez
- Children: Darwin Jr.
- Instagram: darwin_n9
Darwin Núñez’s Story is One of the Rags to Riches
Silva Ribeiro and Bibiano Núñez welcomed Darwin Gabriel Nunez Ribeiro into the world on June 24th, 1999 in Artigas, Uruguay. Darwin grew up as a timid child from a poor family residing in a dilapidated neighborhood. He was raised alongside his older brother Junior Nunez in the northern city of Artigas, Uruguay, a slum neighborhood.
His mother Silva Ribeiro sold collected bottles to provide a living for her family while Darwin’s father, Bibiano Nunez made pennies that could barely sustain the family from his work as a construction employee. When his father Bibiano runs out of money they had to depend on his mother, Silva Ribeiro to feed the family.
Darwin recounted that the most painful childhood memory was having to go to bed hungry on multiple occasions. Likewise, he attended school from 7 am to 3 pm without meals as his parents could not afford to provide for him for other parents could. Their poor living condition sparked determination and the desire to break the shackles of poverty in young Darwin, and this inspired his passion for football having watched how Edinson Cavani and Luiz Suarez established themselves despite their poor backgrounds.
He Began Playing Soccer on the Streets
Darwin’s determination kept him pushing and improving his skills as a street footballer. With his older brother by his side, he felt ready to join a football academy. He was indeed ready as he successfully joined and registered with his hometown club La Luz. There, he met his first-ever football coach who taught him how to play football and helped him through his issues. Unfortunately, his coach did not live long to witness his success as a footballer. However, this did not stop Darwin from celebrating his coach whenever he scores.
With heightened determination, he became the best in the academy and thereafter decided to climb higher. Subsequently, he joined the community’s football academy, San Miguel Artigas Academy which was more competitive and provided more opportunities for young kids in the football scene. In 2013, Darwin’s dream began to come into fusion when José Perdomo, a football scout, visited his academy playground. Darwin’s skill and movement on the field during a game attracted José and he sought permission from Darwin’s parents to take their son to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.
At the age of 14, Darwin set out to fulfill his desire for a better life for himself and his family. He finally departed from the slum neighborhood he grew up in and moved into Uruguay’s capital to play for his new club, Penarol Athletic. Leaving his homeland behind was not easy for the 14-year-old as he was homesick shortly after arriving in the city and wanted so badly to return to his family. Perceiving how Darwin was unable to blend in at his new club, Club Atlético Penarol decided that Darwin should see his family but return a year later.
During the year he spent with his family, he developed himself mentally while the club was awaiting his return. After a year, Darwin returned to the club and he was subsequently accepted into the prestigious Academy. Darwin was mentored in the club Academy by Juan Ahuntchan, he developed his skills and graduated as the best youth academy graduate which accelerated him to the Club’s senior team in 2017.
Sadly, he encountered a major accident while he was taking his big career leap in February 2017. His cruciate ligaments were ruptured while he was advancing on the football ladder, delaying his debut. The accident left him traumatized that he considered retiring from football. During the time he was hospitalized, he was supported by his family particularly his nephew and an older brother who stood by him and gave him strength.
After he recuperated from his cruciate ligament injury, Darwin’s debut was announced by interim coach Fernando Curutchet. Subsequently, Darwin made his Primeira Liga debut as a substitute in a 2-1 loss to River plate after recovering from the injury that delayed his senior debut for the Penarol team. Afterward, he had to take a long break from football after his knee injury resurfaced during his debut against Uruguay’s Club Atlético River Plate. Upon his recovery from the kneecap operation, Young Darwin came back into the football scene with a bang and he began taking the field by storm with his goals. His goal-scoring skills played a significant role in his team’s win in his first season as a senior player. This prompted Darwin’s selection for Uruguay’s under-20 team for the South American Championship.
Darwin Nunez Moved to Europe in 2019 at 20 Years Old
In 2019, Darwin Nunez got the attention of some European scouts and got his big move to Europe. He signed a five-year contract with UD Almera in Spain’s Segunda División on August 29, 2019, for a rumored fee of $4.5 million. On 27th October 2019, he scored his first goal for his new club. He finished the season at the Estadio de Los Juegos Mediterráneos as the league’s joint fourth top scorer with 16 goals.
After a season with Almeria, Darwin chose Benfica above many offers he got from some of the best European teams. On the 4th of September 2020, the club purchased him at £24 million. In less than a year, he became the team’s most valuable asset and a serial goal scorer and assist maker. Without any doubt, Darwin Nunez is on his way to making history in the football world and becoming one of the best players, in the football scene.
How Tall is Darwin Núñez?
Darwin Núñez is 6 feet and 2 inches (1.87m) tall. He is a very tall striker with a body weight of 81 kg which makes him a handful for defenders to deal with in the box. Darwin’s height has often gained him comparison with legendary Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani with whom he shares some physical resemblance. The two players are tall but Darwin appears to be taller as Cavani is 6 feet tall, two inches shorter than his compatriot.
Read Also: Emmanuel Dennis Biography – Where is He From and What is His Salary?
What is Darwin Núñez’s Salary?
Darwin Núñez is believed to be earning a weekly salary of £39,000. This makes him one of the richest Uruguayan players with an estimated net worth of about £3 million. The striker’s wealth primarily comes from his playing career. With many big European teams seeking his services in the coming years, his salary will certainly increase, allowing him to rub shoulders with some of the highest-earning players from his country like Cavani, Suarez, etc.
His Career Statistics
Extracted from BESOCCER
| Teams | MP |
G
|
A
|
YC
|
RC
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
84 | 47 | 15 | 9 | 0 |
 |
32 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
 |
9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
 |
4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
 |
11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
 |
25 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 165 | 73 | 20 | 14 | 1 |
Who is Darwin Nunez Girlfriend?
Darwin Nunez is currently dating Lorena Mañas with whom he welcomed his first child. The duo became parents following the birth of a son named Darwin Jr. born on 3 January 2022.
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