Darwin Núñez marked his comeback to the field over the weekend with a participation in a charity match held in his hometown of Artigas, Uruguay.

Núñez had to sit out the final three games of the season at Liverpool due to a toe injury, and he was also not included in Marcelo Bielsa’s initial Uruguay squad.

However, his absence from the upcoming friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba was not due to fitness concerns. Bielsa opted to name an experimental squad to assess new players.

This decision has provided Núñez with an extended break before the start of preseason on Merseyside, which is scheduled for July 8. The striker has taken this opportunity to return to his native Uruguay.

On Sunday, Núñez participated in a charity match in his hometown of Artigas. The event aimed to collect food and clothing for underprivileged families in the area.

Núñez received a warm welcome and applause from a large crowd at the Estadio Matías González. He sported the No. 9 jersey and expressed his gratitude to the fans with gestures of thanks.

Tickets for the game, which pitted a team put together by Núñez against Club Atlético Artigas, were available in exchange for food donations or a coat.

“The truth is that I am very happy,” the 23-year-old shared with Televisión Nacional de Uruguay (TNU) after the game.

“It is something very nice to see all these people who come to support the benefit game, with the boys who came out champions. I love coming to my land and always being able to do my bit to help.”

Núñez, who left Uruguay for Portugal in 2019 after his breakthrough at Penãrol in Montevideo, explained that he hadn’t played at the Estadio Matías González in six years.

“I hope one day, when I retire, to return to Artigas and be able to play here and enjoy my family,” he admitted.