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Darwin Núñez

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Núñez and the second or maternal family name is Ribeiro.
Darwin Núñez
File:Darwin Nunez 2020 (cropped).png
Núñez with Benfica in 2020
Personal information
Full name Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro
Date of birth (1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Artigas, Uruguay
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Benfica
Number 9
Youth career
La Luz
San Miguel de Artigas
Peñarol
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 Peñarol 14 (4)
2019–2020 Almería 30 (16)
2020– Benfica 51 (26)
International career‡
2018–2019 Uruguay U20 14 (4)
2019 Uruguay U22 4 (1)
2019– Uruguay 8 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 March 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1 February 2022

Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈdaɾwĩn ˈnuɲes]; born 24 June 1999) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Primeira Liga club Benfica and the Uruguay national team.

Núñez came through Peñarol's youth academy, being promoted to the first-team in 2017. In August 2019, he joined Spanish Segunda División side Almería. Benfica signed him in 2020 for a club-record transfer worth €24 million, the most expensive signing in Portuguese football history.

After representing Uruguay at various youth levels, Núñez was called up to the full international side for the first time in October 2019. He scored on his international debut against Peru.

Club career

Peñarol

Born in Artigas, Núñez joined Peñarol's youth setup in 2013, aged 14. His first stay lasted only months, but he subsequently rejoined the club in 2014, and finished his formation.[1]

Núñez spent the first months of 2017 nursing a knee injury.[2] He made his first team – and Primera División – debut on 22 November 2017, coming on as a second-half substitute for Maxi Rodríguez in a 2–1 away loss against River Plate Montevideo,[3] but had another knee surgery the following month.[2]

Núñez scored his first professional goal on 13 October 2018, netting the opener in a 2–0 home defeat of Fénix.[4] On 14 July 2019, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 routing of Boston River.[5]

Almería

On 29 August 2019, Spanish Segunda División side Almería announced the signing of Núñez on a five-year deal,[6] for a rumoured fee of US$4.5 million plus $1.5 million in variables.[7] He made his debut on 3 October as a half-time substitute in 4–2 league defeat against Sporting de Gijón.[8]

On 27 October 2019, starting for the first time, Núñez scored first goal for his new club in a 3–2 home win against Extremadura with a penalty.[9] He finished his only season at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos as the league's joint fourth top scorer with 16 goals, led by compatriot Cristhian Stuani.[10]

Benfica

2020–21: Adaptation to Portugal

On 4 September 2020, Núñez signed a five-year contract with Portuguese club Benfica, who paid a club record fee of €24 million for the player. This was also Almeria's and the Segunda División's biggest transfer, with the club also receiving 20% of a future transfer.[11] Eleven days later, he made his debut for the club in a 2–1 loss against PAOK for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round replacing Pedrinho in the 65th minute of the game.[12]

With his assist in a 3–0 win over Rio Ave on 18 October, he reached five assists in his first four league games, best in the league.[13] On 22 October, he scored his first goals for the club with a hat-trick against Lech Poznań in a 4–2 away victory in a 2020–21 UEFA Europa League group stage match.[14] Four days later, he scored his first Primeira Liga goal in a 2–0 home victory over B SAD.[15]

Núñez playing for Benfica in 2021

On 3 December, after three weeks off from COVID-19, he returned to action against Lech Poznań in the Europa League group, scoring Benfica's second goal in a 4–0 home victory.[16] He struggled over the course of the season with the effects of COVID-19 and various injuries, and did not score for four months.[17] He scored six league goals and provided ten assists – second-best in the league – helping Benfica to a third-place finish and qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round.[18]

2021–22: Breakthrough

In May 2021, Núñez underwent surgery due to an injury on his right knee, forcing him to miss Benfica's first months of the new season.[19] He made his return from injury on 21 August, replacing Everton in the 72th minute, in a 2–0 away victory over Gil Vicente, being booked in the process.[20] Following back-to-back braces against Santa Clara and Boavista in the Primeira Liga, he was named the league's Player of the Month and Forward of the Month for September.[21] On 29 September, he scored his first two UEFA Champions League goals in a 3–0 home victory over Barcelona, and was named man of the match.[22]

On 27 November, he scored his first hat-trick in the league as his team finished the first half at B SAD 7–0 up, though the game was abandoned early in the second half due to insufficient players on the COVID-affected host team;[23] on 12 December he added another treble against Famalicão in a 4–1 away win, becoming the seventh player in the league to score back-to-back hat-tricks.[24] Three days later, Núñez scored two goals in a 3–0 home win over Sporting da Covilhã to send his team into the semi-finals of the 2021–22 Taça da Liga.[25] While on international duty for Uruguay, Benfica were defeated 2–1 by crosstown rivals Sporting CP in the final.[26]

On 27 February, Núñez scored his 20th league goal for Benfica (in 20 matches) in a 3–0 home victory against Vitória de Guimarães in the Primeira Liga.[27] On 15 March, at the second leg of Champions League round-of-16, Núñez scored the only goal in a 1–0 away win over Ajax to ensure his team qualification to the quarter-finals, securing a 3–2 aggregate win in the process.[28]

International career

Youth

Núñez is a former Uruguay youth international and was part of under-20 team squad which finished third in 2019 South American U-20 Championship.

He also took part of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring in the opening match in a 3–1 over Norway and the opening goal in a 2–0 over New Zealand in the final group match, to help Uruguay finish top of Group C. His country was eliminated from the tournament following a 1–3 loss against Ecuador in the round of 16.[29]

He was also part of under-22 team squad which finished fourth at 2019 Pan American Games.

Senior

Núñez was called up to the senior team for friendlies against Costa Rica and the United States in September 2019. He made his international debut that 16 October in a 1–1 draw away to Peru in another exhibition, replacing Brian Lozano in the 75th minute of the game and scoring five minutes later.[30]

In June 2021, Núñez was included in the final 26-man Uruguay squad for the 2021 Copa América in Brazil. Due to a right knee injury that would rule him out for two months, he missed the tournament.[31][32]

Style of play

Núñez is a right-footed player, he possesses an athletic frame, excellent acceleration and sprinting speed is the defining facet of his athletic skillset, with his explosive change of pace being capable of creating immediate separation.[33][34] He also has good awareness, he scans space and makes decisions when moving relative to the ball, space, team-mates and opponents.[33][34] Núñez is a disruptive striker with a dynamic range of mobility that can carry counter-attacks, makes incisive movements around the box, and strike the ball explosively.[33][34] He is adept at attacking open spaces and is good at generating shots from varied situations.[33][34] He is also a promising creator around the box and is also capable of playing as a left-winger.[33][34]

Personal life

On 19 November 2020, it was announced that Núñez tested positive for COVID-19, amid its pandemic in Portugal.[35]

Núñez is in a relationship with Lorena Mañas, both announced the birth of their first child, a son also named Darwin, born on 3 January 2022.[36]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 15 March 2022[37]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Peñarol 2017 Uruguayan Primera División 1 0 — — 0 0 0 0 1 0
2018 10 1 — — 2[a] 0 1[b] 0 13 1
2019 3 3 — — 5[c] 0 0 0 8 3
Total 14 4 0 0 0 0 7 0 1 0 22 4
Almería 2019–20 Segunda División 30 16 0 0 — — 2[d] 0 32 16
Benfica 2020–21 Primeira Liga 29 6 4 3 2 0 8[e] 5 1[f] 0 44 14
2021–22 22 20 2 0 1 2 8[g] 4 — 33 26
Total 51 26 6 3 3 2 16 9 1 0 77 40
Career total 95 46 6 3 3 2 23 9 4 0 131 60
  1. ^ Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  2. ^ Appearance in Uruguayan Primera División championship play-off
  3. ^ Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  4. ^ Appearances in Segunda División play-offs
  5. ^ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances and five goals in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  7. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

As of match played 1 February 2022
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Uruguay 2019 1 1
2020 3 1
2021 2 0
2022 2 0
Total 8 2
Scores and results list Uruguay's goal tally first.[38]
List of international goals scored by Darwin Núñez
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1. 16 October 2019 Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru  Peru 1–1 1–1 Friendly [30]
2. 13 November 2020 Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla, Colombia  Colombia 3–0 3–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

Peñarol

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Darwin Núñez se fue al Almería: "voy a poder comprarle la casa a mis padres en Artigas"" [Darwin Núñez moved to Almería: "I will be able to buy a house for my parents in Artigas"] (in Spanish). Subrayado. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Darwin Núñez: De estar a punto de "dejar de jugar" a un presente que promete en Peñarol" [Darwin Núñez: from being close to "quit football" to a present who promises at Peñarol] (in Spanish). Fútbol.com.uy. 15 July 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Clausura: River Plate derrotó 2–1 a Peñarol en el Saroldi y le quitó el invicto" [Clausura: River Plate defeated Peñarol by 2–1 and removed their unbeaten status] (in Spanish). Fútbol.com.uy. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Clausura: Peñarol le ganó 2–0 a Fénix con goles de Darwin Núñez y Giovanni González" [Clausura: Peñarol defeated Fénix by 2–0 with goals from Darwin Núñez and Giovanni González] (in Spanish). Fútbol.com.uy. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Peñarol le ganó 4–0 a Boston River por la primera fecha del Torneo Intermedio 2019" [Peñarol thrashed Boston River by 4–0 for the first round of the 2019 Torneo Intermedio] (in Spanish). Teledoce. 14 July 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Darwin Núñez, un delantero de garantías para el nuevo proyecto" [Darwin Núñez, a guarantee forward for the new project] (in Spanish). UD Almería. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Última hora: la directiva de Peñarol aprueba la venta de Darwin al Almería" [Breaking news: Peñarol's board approves the sale of Darwin to Almería] (in Spanish). La Voz de Almería. 25 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  8. ^ Gregorio, Paco (3 October 2019). "El Sporting desarbola al Almería en El Molinón (4-2)" [Sporting chop down Almería in El Molinón (4-2)]. Diario de Almería (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  9. ^ Gregorio, Paco (27 October 2019). "Darwin y Lazo sacan al Almería del bache (3-2)" [Darwin and Lazo pull Almería out of their slump (3-2)]. Diario de Almería (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Stuani, del Girona, 'Pichichi' con 29 goles" [Girona's Stuani, 'Pichichi' with 29 goals]. Sport (in Spanish). 21 July 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  11. ^ "El Almería y el Benfica firman el traspaso definitivo de Darwin Núñez" [Almería and Benfica confirm Darwin Núñez's permanent transfer]. UD Almería. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  12. ^ Pereira, António Pedro (15 September 2020). "PAOK 2-1 BENFICA. KO no jogo um" [PAOK 2-1 BENFICA. KO in game one]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Waldschmidt. O rolo compressor alemão deixa Benfica mais líder" [Waldschmidt. The German pressing role leaves Benfica further ahead]. Diário de Noticias (in Portuguese). 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Darwin e mais 10!" [Darwin and 10 others!] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  15. ^ "Benfica 2-0 Belenenses SAD: Seferovic e Darwin Nuñez carimbam quinta vitória em cinco jogos" [Benfica 2–0 Belenenses SAD: Seferovic and Darwin Núñez seal fifth victory in five games] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  16. ^ "Darwin de volta e direto ao onze do Benfica para o jogo com o Lech Poznan" [Darwin back and straight into Benfica's XI for the game with Lech Poznań]. Record (in Portuguese). 3 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  17. ^ "Darwin fintou a pobreza, as lesões e as críticas antes de brilhar na Champions" [Darwin beat poverty, injuries and criticism before shining in the Champions League]. Diário de Noticias (in Portuguese). 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Benfica repete terceiro lugar no campeonato 12 anos depois" [Benfica back in third place in the championship after 12 years] (in Portuguese). Notícias ao Minuto. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Benfica: Darwin Nuñez operado ao joelho" [Benfica: Darwin Núñez has knee operation]. Mais Futebol (in Portuguese). Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  20. ^ "Darwin assinalou dia em que voltou a vestir a camisola do Benfica" [Darwin stood out on the day that he wore Benfica's jersey again]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  21. ^ Oliveira, Diogo Cardoso (14 October 2021). "Darwin Núñez, do Benfica, eleito melhor jogador do mês". Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  22. ^ UEFA.com. "Benfica-Barcelona | UEFA Champions League". UEFA. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Belenenses 20:30 Benfica". BBC Sport. 28 November 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  24. ^ "Darwin Nuñez anota hat-trick e Benfica goleia o Famalicão" [Darwin Nuñez scores a hat-trick and Benfica thrash Famalicão]. Lance!. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  25. ^ "Benfica 3-0 Sporting da Covilhã: Golo de Seferovic e bis de Darwin levam os encarnados até à final four da Taça da Liga" [Benfica 3-0 Sporting da Covilhã: Seferovic goal and brace from Darwin take the Reds into the final four of the Taça da Liga]. SAPO Desporto. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  26. ^ Ribeiro, Patrick (29 January 2022). "Sporting defend their Taça da Liga title in second-half turnaround versus Benfica". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  27. ^ "Com dois de Darwin Núñez, Benfica vence o Vitória de Guimarães pelo Campeonato Português".
  28. ^ "GOLO DE DARWIN LEVA BENFICA PARA OS QUARTOS DE FINAL".
  29. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 – Uruguay vs Ecuador". FIFA. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019.
  30. ^ a b Sánchez, Guillermo (16 October 2019). "El debut soñado de Darwin Núñez con Uruguay". Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  31. ^ "Plantel de Uruguay para la Copa América" [Uruguay squad for the Copa América] (in Spanish). Uruguayan Football Association. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  32. ^ "Darwin Núñez sufre a la distance y acompaña a la seleccion desde las redes" [Darwin Núñez suffers from a distance and accompanies national team from the social networks]. El Observador (in Spanish). 18 June 2021.
  33. ^ a b c d e "Darwin Núñez". 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  34. ^ a b c d e "Player Analysis: Darwin Núñez". 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Darwin Núñez e Weigl estão infetados com covid-19". Diário de Notícias. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  36. ^ "FUTEBOLISTA DO BENFICA FOI PAI PELA PRIMEIRA VEZ AOS 22 ANOS (FOTO)" [BENFICA'S FOOTBALLIST WAS A FATHER FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 22 (PHOTO)]. VIP (in Portuguese). 5 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  37. ^ Darwin Núñez at Soccerway
  38. ^ "Darwin Núñez". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  39. ^ "Darwin e Gonçalo Ramos Galardoados" [Darwin and Gonçalo Ramos Awarded]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 3 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  40. ^ "Best of September/October 2020-21: Pedro Gonçalves and Gonçalo Ramos are the highlights of the month". Liga Portugal. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
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