Darwin Núñez, the Liverpool forward, is making significant strides ahead of the Copa America 2024 event. Currently, he is focused on Uruguay’s summer campaign as he prepares to return to Liverpool under new manager Arne Slot.
In his latest appearance for Uruguay, the 24-year-old impressed by scoring three goals in a 4-0 friendly victory over Mexico, although the match was marred by fan unrest. This performance marked his fifth consecutive international match with a goal, totaling eight goals during this period.
Last season, Núñez contributed to Liverpool’s efforts, assisting on 31 goals and scoring 18 himself. However, he started only one of the team’s last seven league games, and his form dipped towards the end of the season, with no goals or assists in his final seven appearances and just one goal since April.
As he joins the Uruguayan national squad for the Copa America, Núñez aims to make a strong impression and secure a spot in Slot’s starting lineup. This tournament presents him with the chance to reaffirm his abilities on the international stage. Although he missed the 2021 Copa America due to a knee injury, he played all three games for Uruguay in the 2022 World Cup, where the team exited in the group stage.
Núñez has been a vital member of Uruguay’s squad, scoring 11 goals in 23 matches. Recently, he made headlines by officially signing with Adidas, ending his previous partnership with Nike, and debuted a pair of black Adidas Copa Pure boots in a match against Arsenal last season.
He is optimistic about thriving in this summer’s Copa America under head coach Marcelo Bielsa, who has a history of bringing out the best in him. Uruguay, boasting a record 15 Copa America titles, will face co-hosts the United States, Bolivia, and Panama in the group stage, aiming to capture their first championship since 2011. Núñez is expected to play a crucial role in their quest for glory.