Darwin Nunez – Career, Stats and 2026 World Cup Outlook
Darwin Núñez, the Uruguayan striker who joined Liverpool for a club-record fee in 2022, now plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. His move to the Middle East in 2025 ended a three-year spell at Anfield where he scored 40 goals in 143 appearances. This article lays out his current club, career statistics, personal details, and what lies ahead — including the 2026 World Cup.
Núñez arrived at Liverpool from Benfica in June 2022 for an initial £64 million, with potential add-ons pushing the total to around £85 million. His time in England produced a Premier League title in 2024–25 but also inconsistent starting minutes. By August 2025, an agreement was reached with Al-Hilal for a reported €53 million (£46.3 million) transfer, and Liverpool confirmed the permanent move in August 2026.
The Uruguayan forward is now 26 years old, stands 1.85 m tall, and remains a regular for his national team. What follows is a comprehensive breakdown of his career, from his early days at Peñarol to his current situation in Saudi Arabia.
Where Does Darwin Nunez Play Now? Al Hilal Move Explained
Al-Hilal (Saudi Pro League)
26 (24 June 1999)
Uruguay
Centre-Forward / Striker
Núñez moved to Al-Hilal in the summer of 2025 after three seasons at Liverpool. The Saudi club made him a marquee signing, offering a reported salary of around £400,000 per week — more than double his Liverpool wages, according to Fox Sports. The contract was reported by some outlets as worth roughly €21.5 million per season, though neither club has disclosed official figures.
- Darwin Nunez moved to Al-Hilal in summer 2025 after three seasons at Liverpool.
- His transfer to Liverpool in 2022 set a club record fee of up to £85 million.
- He earned one Premier League title with Liverpool (2024–25).
- He is a key figure for the Uruguay national team heading into the 2026 World Cup.
- By February 2026, reports indicated his situation at Al-Hilal had soured, with the striker excluded from the squad for the remainder of the Saudi Pro League season.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro |
| Born | 24 June 1999 in Artigas, Uruguay |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Liverpool Appearances | 143 |
| Liverpool Goals | 40 |
| Honours | Premier League (2024–25) |
| Previous Clubs | Benfica, Almería, Peñarol |
| Current Club | Al-Hilal (Saudi Pro League) |
How Old is Darwin Nunez and What Are His Key Bio Details?
Age, Nationality and Position
Darwin Núñez was born on 24 June 1999 in Artigas, Uruguay. He is 26 years old. The forward is Uruguayan by nationality and plays primarily as a centre-forward or striker. His pace, direct running, and aerial power are his defining traits, as noted in his Wikipedia biography.
Salary at Al-Hilal
According to Fox Sports, Núñez earned approximately £400,000 per week at Al-Hilal, more than double his Liverpool salary. Another tracking report from TransferFeed suggested the contract was worth roughly €21.5 million per season. These figures remain reported estimates; neither Al-Hilal nor Liverpool has disclosed the exact terms.
Wife and Family
Available sources identify Lorena Mañas as Núñez’s partner, though not explicitly as a wife. The couple announced the birth of their first child, a son, in January 2022. No further personal details have been confirmed in public records.
Lorena Mañas is named as Núñez’s partner in available sources. They have one child together, born in January 2022. There is no reliable confirmation that the couple is married.
Darwin Nunez Liverpool Career: Stats and Achievements
Overall Numbers
During his three seasons at Liverpool, Núñez made 143 appearances across all competitions and scored 40 goals. The ESPN transfer report and BBC Sport both confirm these numbers. He arrived from Benfica in June 2022 for an initial £64 million.
Premier League Title Season
In Liverpool’s title-winning 2024–25 Premier League campaign, Núñez started only eight league matches. Some coverage from Al Jazeera noted he made 47 appearances and scored seven goals in that season overall. Despite limited starts, he contributed to the club’s first league title since 2020.
Transfer to Al-Hilal
By August 2025, a deal was reported for Núñez to join Al-Hilal. The fixed fee was around €53 million (£46.3 million), with additional bonuses and a three-year deal, according to Al Jazeera and The Athletic. Liverpool officially confirmed the permanent transfer in August 2026.
Inconsistency and competition for starting spots at Liverpool likely influenced Núñez’s decision to move. At Al-Hilal, he became a marquee signing alongside established stars, with a salary reportedly more than double his Anfield wages.
Will Darwin Nunez Play in the 2026 World Cup?
It is not yet known whether Núñez will be part of Uruguay’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. One report from The Athletic in February 2026 suggested he might evaluate his options in Europe after the tournament, implying the World Cup remains a relevant career milestone in his planning. Uruguay’s qualification status and final squad selection have not been established. The FIFA World Cup official site and the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) are the authoritative sources for updates.
It is not yet known whether Darwin Nunez will start for Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup. Squad selections and tactical decisions remain unconfirmed by the Uruguayan Football Association.
Darwin Nunez Career Timeline: From Peñarol to Al-Hilal
- Pre-2017: Developed in Uruguay before entering senior football with Peñarol.
- 2017–2019: Played for Peñarol in Uruguay’s top division.
- 2019–2020: Moved to Spanish side Almería.
- 2020–2022: Transferred to Benfica in Portugal, where his performances attracted attention from top European clubs.
- June 2022: Signed for Liverpool for an initial £64 million (rising to £85 million with add-ons).
- 2022–2025: Scored 40 goals in 143 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions.
- 2024–25: Won the Premier League title with Liverpool, though he started only eight league matches.
- August 2025: Agreement reported for a move to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
- 2025–26: Recorded 9 goals in 24 matches for Al-Hilal before being excluded from the Saudi Pro League squad in February 2026.
- August 2026: Liverpool confirmed the permanent transfer to Al-Hilal for a reported €53 million.
What We Know and What Is Still Unclear About Darwin Nunez
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Darwin Nunez currently plays for Al-Hilal. | Exact structure of the Al-Hilal contract (length, salary) has not been officially confirmed. |
| He left Liverpool in summer 2025. | Whether he will start for Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup is not yet determined. |
| He was born on 24 June 1999 in Artigas, Uruguay. | Transfer fee for the Al-Hilal move has not been publicly disclosed by the clubs. |
| He scored 40 goals in 143 appearances for Liverpool. | His long-term future beyond the current Saudi Pro League season is unknown. |
Analysis: Why the Move to Saudi Arabia Makes Sense
Darwin Nunez’s move to Al-Hilal follows a broader trend of elite players moving to the Saudi Pro League for lucrative contracts. While his time at Liverpool produced flashes of brilliance — 40 goals in 143 appearances — inconsistency and competition for starting spots likely influenced his decision. At Al-Hilal, he becomes a marquee signing alongside established stars and remains in the national team selection picture for the 2026 World Cup. The financial package, reported at roughly £400,000 per week, also represents a significant step up from his Liverpool wages.
Key Sources on Darwin Nunez’s Career
“Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal and the Uruguay national team.”
“Darwin Nunez was a Premier League champion during a three-year spell with Liverpool.”
“Profile lists @alhilal and @aufoficial (Uruguay national team).”
What’s Next for Darwin Nunez?
The immediate focus for Núñez is his adaptation to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal. Pre-season ahead of the 2026 campaign will be crucial, as will his potential selection for Uruguay’s World Cup squad. Reports from February 2026 suggest his situation at Al-Hilal had become strained, with the striker excluded from the squad for the rest of the season. Whether that leads to another move in the near future remains to be seen. For more on similar player profiles, see Hugo Ekitike – Stats, Transfer to Liverpool, and Personal Life and Chris Wood – Bio, Premier League Stats and Current Club 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About Darwin Nunez
How many goals did Darwin Nunez score for Liverpool?
Darwin Nunez scored 40 goals in 143 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions.
What is Darwin Nunez’s transfer history?
He moved from Almería to Benfica in 2019, then to Liverpool in 2022 for a fee of up to £85 million, and to Al-Hilal in 2025 for around €53 million.
What position does Darwin Nunez play?
Darwin Nunez primarily plays as a centre-forward or striker.
How much does Darwin Nunez earn at Al-Hilal?
Reports estimate his salary at roughly £400,000 per week, though official figures have not been released.
Is Darwin Nunez married?
Available sources identify Lorena Mañas as his partner, but there is no reliable confirmation that they are married.
Why did Darwin Nunez leave Liverpool?
Inconsistency and competition for starting spots likely influenced his decision. Al-Hilal offered a marquee role and a significantly higher salary.
Will Darwin Nunez play in the 2026 World Cup?
It is not yet confirmed. Uruguay’s final squad has not been announced, and Núñez’s selection remains uncertain.
What is Darwin Nunez’s nationality?
Darwin Nunez is Uruguayan. He was born in Artigas, Uruguay.
How old is Darwin Nunez?
He was born on 24 June 1999, making him 26 years old.
What are Darwin Nunez’s career stats at Al-Hilal?
According to available records, he scored 9 goals in 24 matches before being excluded from the Saudi Pro League squad in February 2026.
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