Darwin Nunez –  Profile

Bio

Darwin Gabriel Nunez Ribeiro is a name that football fans around the world have come to know very well. Born on June 24, 1999, in the small city of Artigas in northern Uruguay, he grew up in conditions that most people would find incredibly tough. His family did not have much. His neighbourhood sat close to the Cuareim River, and flooding was a regular problem that would sometimes wash away whatever little they had.

But football changed everything for Darwin. He started kicking a ball around as a kid and joined local clubs La Luz and San Miguel before being spotted by former Uruguayan international Jose Perdomo at just 14 years old. That was the turning point. He left home and moved to Montevideo to join Penarol, one of Uruguay’s biggest clubs, though he struggled badly with homesickness at first and even went back home for a while before returning with fresh determination.

At 17, Darwin suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for over a year and required two surgeries. During that difficult time, his older brother Junior gave up his own football dreams to work and support the family. That sacrifice hit Darwin hard and pushed him to come back even stronger.

He made his professional debut for Penarol in November 2017 and soon caught the eye of Spanish club Almeria, who signed him in 2019. From there, his career took off like a rocket. Benfica picked him up in 2020 for a record €24 million, and he rewarded them with 34 goals in 41 games during the 2021-22 season, including memorable strikes against Barcelona and Liverpool in the Champions League. Liverpool then came calling with a massive €75 million deal in 2022, and he spent three seasons at Anfield, helping the Reds clinch the 2024-25 Premier League title.

In August 2025, Darwin made a big-money move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia for a reported €53 million transfer fee. As of early 2026, there are already rumours of potential loan moves, with clubs like Flamengo in Brazil reportedly showing interest. Whether he stays in Saudi Arabia or moves on, Darwin Nunez remains one of the most talked-about strikers in world football.

Net Worth and Salary in 2026

Darwin Nunez has come a seriously long way from going to bed hungry as a kid in Artigas. Today, he is one of the highest-paid footballers on the planet. Icon Polls estimates that Darwin Nunez’s net worth in 2026 sits somewhere between $40 to $45 million dollars. This figure takes into account his football earnings over the years, brand endorsements, and personal investments.

When it comes to his salary, his current deal at Al-Hilal is worth approximately $27 million per year, which works out to around $520,000 per week. That is a massive jump from the roughly $9 million a year he was earning at Liverpool. The Saudi Pro League is well known for offering huge wages to attract top talent, and Darwin’s contract is no exception.

Before his Saudi move, Darwin earned around £140,000 per week at Liverpool under a six-year contract he signed in 2022. That deal was worth a total of approximately $46 million. At Benfica, he was earning considerably less, and at Almeria and Penarol, his wages were modest by European standards.

Beyond his football salary, Darwin also earns from endorsement deals with brands like Adidas, who supply his boots. He is known to own a collection of luxury cars including a Mercedes Benz G63, a Lamborghini Urus, a BMW X5, and an Audi e-tron. He also invested in property for his family back in Artigas, Uruguay, one of the first things he did when he started earning serious money. According to Icon Polls findings, his overall financial trajectory suggests his net worth could climb past $50 million within the next couple of years if he stays on his current earning path.

Wife

Darwin Nunez is in a long-term relationship with Lorena Manas. While many people refer to her as his wife, the couple are technically not married yet, though they have been together since around 2019-2020 and very much live as a family unit.

Lorena was born on March 25, 1999, in Spain, making her the same age as Darwin. She comes from Almeria, which is where the two of them first met when Darwin was playing for the local club. Before her relationship with Darwin, Lorena was previously married to former Barcelona player Aleix Vidal. They have a daughter together named Chloe. Lorena and Vidal split in 2018, and she began her relationship with Darwin shortly after.

In January 2022, Darwin and Lorena welcomed their first child together, a son they named Darwin Jr., after the striker’s own father. Darwin has also taken on a fatherly role with Chloe, and the blended family appears to be very close and happy.

Lorena keeps a relatively low profile and her Instagram account is private, though she has over 150,000 followers. She has been described as a private person who prefers to stay out of the spotlight but is always seen supporting Darwin at key moments. When Darwin moved to Liverpool in 2022, Lorena relocated to England with him. She followed him again when he transferred to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia in 2025.

One moment that really stood out was during the 2024 Copa America semi-final, when trouble broke out between Uruguayan players and Colombian fans. Darwin was seen shielding Lorena and their young son from the chaos. It showed how protective he is of his family, something fans really respected. Lorena is also reportedly friends with Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, which shows the circles this family moves in within the football world.

Parents

The story of Darwin Nunez does not make sense without talking about his parents, Bibiano Nunez and Silvia Ribeiro. They are the foundation of everything he has achieved. Bibiano worked as a builder, doing hard physical labour to keep food on the table, while Silvia hawked milk bottles on the streets of Artigas to help make ends meet.

The family lived in one of the poorest parts of Artigas, right on a floodplain near the Cuareim River. Flooding was a regular occurrence, and it would often destroy whatever belongings they had managed to scrape together. There were many nights when the family did not have enough to eat. Darwin has spoken publicly about how his mother would skip meals so that he and his brother could eat instead. That kind of sacrifice is something he has never forgotten.

As soon as Darwin started earning decent money from football, he kept his promise to his parents. He bought them a house in Artigas and later a car as well. For a family that once had nothing, those moments were deeply emotional. Icon Polls notes that Darwin’s story is a powerful example of how sport can transform not just one life, but an entire family’s circumstances.

His older brother Junior also deserves a mention here. When Darwin was recovering from his serious knee injury as a teenager, Junior gave up his own football career to go to work and support the family. He told Darwin, “you’re better suited than me,” which was both heartbreaking and motivating. That sacrifice drove Darwin to push even harder, and the success he has achieved today is very much a family achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Darwin Nunez

Below are the most commonly searched questions about Darwin Nunez across search engines and AI platforms. Icon Polls has compiled these based on trending queries in 2026.

1. What is Darwin Nunez’s net worth in 2026?

Icon Polls estimates Darwin Nunez’s net worth in 2026 to be between $40 to $45 million. This includes his football salary, brand deals with companies like Adidas, and personal investments including property and luxury vehicles.

2. How much does Darwin Nunez earn per week?

At Al-Hilal, Darwin Nunez earns approximately $520,000 per week, which is around £400,000. This makes him one of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League.

3. What is Darwin Nunez’s annual salary in 2026?

His annual salary at Al-Hilal is estimated at approximately $27 million per year before bonuses.

4. Which club does Darwin Nunez play for in 2026?

As of February 2026, Darwin Nunez is contracted to Al-Hilal SFC in the Saudi Pro League. However, there are reports linking him with a potential loan move to clubs like Flamengo in Brazil.

5. Is Darwin Nunez married?

Darwin Nunez is not officially married. He is in a long-term relationship with his partner Lorena Manas, and they have a son together named Darwin Jr. Many fans refer to Lorena as his wife, but the couple have not publicly confirmed a marriage.

6. Who is Darwin Nunez’s wife or girlfriend?

Lorena Manas is Darwin Nunez’s long-term partner. She was born on March 25, 1999, in Almeria, Spain. She was previously married to former Barcelona player Aleix Vidal and has a daughter named Chloe from that relationship.

7. Does Darwin Nunez have children?

Yes. Darwin has a son named Darwin Jr., born in January 2022. He is also a stepfather to Chloe, Lorena Manas’s daughter from her previous relationship.

8. Who are Darwin Nunez’s parents?

Darwin’s father is Bibiano Nunez, who worked as a builder, and his mother is Silvia Ribeiro, who sold milk bottles on the streets of Artigas, Uruguay. Both made enormous sacrifices to support Darwin’s football dreams.

9. Where is Darwin Nunez from?

He was born and raised in Artigas, a small city in northern Uruguay near the Brazilian border. His family lived in one of the most impoverished neighbourhoods in the area.

10. How old is Darwin Nunez?

Darwin Nunez is 26 years old as of February 2026. He was born on June 24, 1999.

11. How tall is Darwin Nunez?

Darwin Nunez stands at 1.87 metres tall, which is approximately 6 feet 1 inch.

12. What position does Darwin Nunez play?

He plays as a centre-forward. He is known for his pace, physicality, aerial ability, and powerful finishing.

13. Why did Darwin Nunez leave Liverpool?

After helping Liverpool win the 2024-25 Premier League title, Nunez was sold to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia in August 2025 for a reported €53 million. The move was driven by a combination of the lucrative Saudi offer and reduced playing time under manager Arne Slot.

14. How many goals has Darwin Nunez scored in his career?

Darwin Nunez has scored over 116 career goals across all clubs and competitions, including stints at Penarol, Almeria, Benfica, Liverpool, and Al-Hilal, as well as goals for the Uruguayan national team.

15. What is Darwin Nunez’s market value in 2026?

According to Transfermarkt, his market value is approximately €45 million as of early 2026.

16. Did Darwin Nunez win the Premier League?

Yes. Darwin Nunez was part of the Liverpool squad that won the 2024-25 Premier League title under manager Arne Slot. He contributed 5 goals and 2 assists in 30 league appearances that season.

17. What brands does Darwin Nunez endorse?

Darwin Nunez has endorsement deals with Adidas, who supply his football boots. He has also been linked with other lifestyle and sports nutrition brands throughout his career.

18. What cars does Darwin Nunez own?

Darwin is known to own several luxury vehicles including a Mercedes Benz G63, a Lamborghini Urus, a BMW X5, and an Audi e-tron.

19. Does Darwin Nunez play for the Uruguay national team?

Yes. Darwin Nunez is a regular member of the Uruguayan national team. He represented his country at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa America, and has been a key player in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

20. What was Darwin Nunez’s transfer fee to Liverpool?

Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica in June 2022 for an initial fee of €75 million (approximately £64 million), with add-ons potentially taking the total to around £85 million, making him Liverpool’s record signing at the time.

21. Has Darwin Nunez scored in the Champions League?

Yes. Darwin Nunez has scored multiple Champions League goals, including memorable strikes for Benfica against Barcelona and Liverpool in the 2021-22 season, and further goals during his time at Liverpool.

22. What was Darwin Nunez’s childhood like?

Darwin grew up in extreme poverty in Artigas, Uruguay. His family often did not have enough food, and their home near the river was regularly flooded. His mother often went hungry so her children could eat. Despite these hardships, he pursued football and eventually lifted his entire family out of poverty.