Darwin Nunez has underlined his affection for Liverpool icon Luis Suarez by giving him back his iconic shirt number.
Both strikers have been named in the Uruguay squad for the upcoming Copa America in the United States. Marcelo Bielsa has given Suarez his first recall into the squad since November 2023.
Ahead of the tournament, Uruguay’s squad numbers have been announced. Suarez, now 37, has been given the number nine shirt - a digit he has traditionally worn when representing his nation.
Nunez inherited the number during Suarez’s absence but has now given it back. The pair were pictured in a photoshoot with their numbers.
Suarez made sure to cover the ‘1’ in Nunez’s ‘19’ in a mutual show of respect between the pair. The former has explained the relationship between him and Nunez, something that will surely benefit Liverpool and help the striker get his Anfield career back on track.
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Nunez has struggled for consistency since his big-money move from Benfica, even going as far as deleting any mention of the Reds from his social media accounts. Suarez said: “He [Nunez], with the humility that he has, a very good kid, said ‘no, Luis, you’re the No. 9, I’m going to respect you when you’re not there if I’m going to grab it’.
“Those are details that demonstrate the greatness and humility of a player who is going to be one of the best, if not [already] one of the best in the world today.”
Speaking further on the Liverpool frontman, Suarez has backed Nunez to be a success for the national team but warned him that his own international career is not over yet.
Darwin Nunez has given Luis Suarez the number 9 shirt (Selección Uruguaya)
Luis Suarez has been recalled to the Uruguay side (Getty Images)Should Liverpool keep Darwin Nunez? Share your thoughts in the comments below
He added: “Apart from wanting to help, I come to compete for the position because I want that; to play, win and achieve the goal. When Darwin comes, he asks me things. At the time [he debuted] yes, I was the starter, Edi [Cavani] was the starter, but he always came, asked, wanted to learn things and that is spectacular.
“Having him in front of me, seeing how he trains, how he plays each game, how can I not stop to applaud him and celebrate? Yes, obviously I had my time, I enjoyed it a lot and I continue to do so.”
It is not the first time that Suarez has offered some valuable advice for his compatriot. Nunez has previously revealed he was one of the first to get in touch after he was sent off for a headbutt on Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen in August 2022.
Speaking after the incident, Nunez said: "Off the field, we have a very good bond, I always follow him because Luis is an idol for me, and he also advises me a lot. For example, the time the headbutt thing happened [against Crystal Palace ], Luis was the first to write to me.
"'You idiot, don’t do that, another idiot is talking to you and he’s done it a thousand times,’ he told me. With Luis, we created a very nice bond."
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