At the weekend, Darwin Nunez returned to action by playing in a charity match in his native Artigas, Uruguay.

As a result of his toe injury, Nunez missed Liverpool’s final three games of the season, and he was left off of Marcelo Bielsa’s first Uruguay roster.

However, the former Leeds manager has named an experimental side to test out new players in the forthcoming friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba, so his absence is not due to a fitness concern.

Nunez, the striker, has returned to Uruguay for an extended holiday before the start of preseason on Merseyside on July 8.

On Sunday, he participated in a charity match in Artigas to raise money for local food pantries and clothing drives serving low-income families.

Nunez, wearing No. 9 and waving to the audience, entered to thunderous ovation at the Estadio Matias Gonzales.

In return for nonperishable food items or a warm coat, fans may purchase tickets to see a team assembled by Nunez take on Club Atletico Artigas.

The 23-year-old player said, “The truth is that I am very happy,” to Telenoche after the game.

“It’s great to see so many people here to cheer on the winners of the benefit game’s team of young men.

In his own words, “I love coming to my land, and always being able to do my bit to help.”

After achieving success with Penarol in Montevideo in 2019, Nunez announced that he was moving to Portugal. He noted that it had been six years since his last game at Estadio Matias Gonzales.

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