Colombian right-back Daniel Muñoz’s career story is a special one, depicting the unique club - fan relationship possible only in football.
One of Atletico Nacional’s most fanatic supporters a mere four years ago, has managed to fulfill his biggest dreams - overcoming a tough career beginning, eventually becoming club captain, signing in Europe and being called up for Colombia’s national team.
Currently considered as one of the best players in the Colombian league, he developed fast from an unknown player to someone that is already on Carlos Queiroz’s radar for the upcoming Copa America. But despite all, his way to the top wasn’t easy at all.
Daniel is Nacional’s most identified player with the local fans, although he arrived to the club just a year ago. Until recently, he was part of the fans’ ultras group ‘Los Del Sur’. He was jumping and cheering through the whole game, a fact which probably explains his ability to run constantly on the pitch.
Muñoz is the kind of player that Juan Carlos Osorio, Nacional’s coach, really admires and this is the reason why he became the captain in his first year. He is an all-around player who can play as a center-back, defensive midfielder, playmaker, winger and even a striker if he must - but his natural position is actually right-back.
He was born on May 26, 1996 in Amalfi, at Antioquia county. When he was 12 years old, he arrived in Envigado, one of the best youth departments in the country and played there in the national tournament. Then he moved to one of the famous amateur clubs in Medellin, Arco Zaragoza.
Tough Beginnings
When he started thinking about his career, he was worried about his lack of time to attend Atletico Nacional matches as a fan. Muñoz’s family are huge fans of the club and Daniel himself is one of the known fans of ‘Los Del Sur’, who are considered the most fanatics. They travel with the club to every match, home or away, in Colombia or outside the country.
However, when he decided to fulfill his dream and become a professional footballer, Daniel knew that he’ll have to be less involved as a fan and put much more work and effort in his playing career. The start wasn’t easy, when he met an agent who promised him money and contracts in top clubs in Spain, Italy and Mexico, but eventually turned out to be a lie and Daniel only had few trials in some unknown clubs.
The Breakthrough
Broke and disappointed, Daniel waited almost two years for an opportunity which didn’t come. When he already thought to retire from football and return home, he met Gabriel Sepulveda, who was one of the coaches in Envigado when Muñoz played there. Sepulveda remembered him and decided to bring him to the youth team of Total Soccer. “I knew him very well and I knew what he was capable of. We couldn’t miss the opportunity to take him and that’s why I invited him to play with us in the U-20 domestic championship, which was a good stage for players like him to show their talent”, said Sepulveda.
Jose Fernando Salazar, one of Rionegro Aguilas scouts, started to follow him and soon Daniel became not only a professional footballer of the team, but one of its best players. As a right back he played nearly 100 matches and scored three goals, which led Juan Carlos Osorio to bring him to Atletico Nacional.
Even the most optimistic fans couldn’t believe how fast he’ll fit in. Before he played 10 games with the club, he already received an invitation from coach Carlos Queiroz to be in the squad for the friendly matches against Brazil & Venezuela last September. Only an injury kept him out from the squad.
The current semester started very well for Nacional and Muñoz, who became Daniel Bocanegra’s successor as the team’s captain. A very fast transition considering the fact that he was only six months in the team. He became the most important player and even though Osorio asked him to keep his side defensively, Daniel always looks how to support offensively. “Part of my DNA is to constantly attack the opponent and I take advantage of my good physical shape to run back and forth at my side, to help the offense and to make it go back to our defensive line”, said Muñoz, who became the fans favorite since day one.
Unfortunately, they enjoyed him for a short period, because the Coronavirus pandemic stopped the league and two weeks ago Belgian side KRC Genk signed him for €4.5m. Muñoz managed to play 30 games for Nacional and score 8 goals, but now he’ll be ready to fulfill his biggest dream.
When football will return in Belgium, it can prove to be a great European league to start his first season abroad and in a team where he can show his ability. He will play along his co-patriot defenders, Carlos Cuesta and John Lucumi.
A good performance may give him an invitation to the Copa America which was postponed in a year. The right back position in the national team is far from being secured, and in fact it’s one of the most problematic positions in Colombian football. Muñoz, who is considered as one of the best Colombians today who play in this role, has a good chance to take the spot in the starting XI.
Now it is only remained to be seen how this young talented player, who was close to retire four years ago, can fulfill every player’s dream – to play and succeed in Europe.
Thumbnail photo by Atletico Nacional’s official Facebook page
