Inside Darwin Nunez’s dating life, amazing car collection and off-pitch lifestyle

Darwin Nunez is one of the most enigmatic figures in recent Liverpool history. His performances can oscillate between brilliance and bewilderment within moments, leading to a divide among fans. Some sections of the Kop chant his name with pride, while others express their frustration.

The former Benfica player’s impact since his high-profile transfer to Liverpool in the summer of 2022 has been divisive. However, there’s no denying that ‘captain chaos’, as some have dubbed him, brings something unique to the Reds. But what about his life off the pitch?

Nunez, 24, comes from humble beginnings in Artigas, Uruguay. His life as a professional footballer is a stark contrast to his upbringing in a neighbourhood known as El Pirata, or Pirate, in English. To support young Darwin’s burgeoning football career, his father, Bibiano Nunez, worked as a builder while his mother Silvia Ribeiro was a hawker of milk bottles. Despite his father’s construction work, the family earned very little.

The Uruguayan media has referred to Nunez’s rise to the top of football as an “extraordinary story of overcoming adversity.” Nunez has previously spoken about his parents’ sacrifices, saying: “My parents sacrificed themselves for me, my mother collected bottles on the street and my father worked all day in construction.”

Nunez’s journey from humble beginnings in Montevideo to Liverpool’s latest striking sensation is a tale of sheer determination and talent. Kicking off his professional career in 2017, the Uruguayan striker quickly made waves, leading to a record-breaking €24million transfer to Benfica.

His scintillating form in Portugal eventually sealed a whopping £64million move to Liverpool, potentially rising to an eye-watering £85 million with add-ons. Despite amassing a fortune, including a hefty £140,000 weekly wage at Anfield, Nunez remains grounded. The football ace took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute to his childhood home, posting, “My house, where I was happy for 14 years! I will never forget where I came from and I will always remember her fondly.”

Off the pitch, Nunez’s heart belongs to Lorena Manas, his long-term partner and mother of their son, Darwin Jr. , born last year. Manas, hailing from Almeria, Spain, has previously been linked romantically with ex-Barcelona player Aleix Vidal, with whom she shares a daughter.

While details about Manas are scarce, it’s clear that her bond with Nunez is strong. Despite her private Instagram profile, Nunez doesn’t shy away from expressing his affection publicly, often sharing loving snaps of the couple. One such moment captured them sharing a birthday kiss amidst a balloon-filled room. The family’s recent escapades include a magical trip to Disneyland, adding a touch of fairy-tale wonder to their lives.

While the exact location of Nunez’s residence remains a mystery, glimpses from his social media suggest a home worthy of a Premier League star. Many Liverpool players, including ex-manager Jurgen Klopp, choose to reside in Formby or Cheshire, with Klopp having owned a mansion in Formby since 2015.

Nunez’s Instagram reveals a spacious dwelling with an expansive garden enveloped by woodland. The footballer is often seen on social media enjoying Liverpool’s sights with his partner and child. Known for his love of cars, Nunez has been seen behind the wheel of a luxurious Audi, possibly an Audi e-tron worth around £70,000, although he doesn’t flaunt his collection openly.

He’s also been spotted driving a BMW X5, valued at approximately £70,000, and a Mercedes G63, which can fetch up to £150,000. A South American news outlet reported that Nunez owns a lavish Lamborghini Urus Evo, potentially worth around £300,000, depending on the model and extras.

Despite his off-pitch lifestyle, Nunez has struggled on the field for Liverpool in recent months. The Uruguayan international caused a stir when he headed straight down the tunnel after a victory over Spurs and subsequently removed all Liverpool-related images from his social media page.

Nunez’s stint at Liverpool echoes the turbulent yet magical tenure of fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez, with both players delivering a blend of brilliance and controversy. Their bond has grown over time, even leading Suarez to jokingly call Nunez an ‘idiot’ after his red card incident against Newcastle in his debut season.

Off the pitch, Nunez leads a surprisingly quiet life, contrasting sharply with his unpredictable and sometimes exasperating performances for the Reds. The potential is there for Liverpool to shape him into a formidable force, but as Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher remarked on Sky Sports earlier this year: “I don’t think he’ll change too much. This is Darwin Nunez, it’s who he is.”