Núñez returns to Argentina with Independiente

By: Peter Katsiris | July 15th, 2008

After a meeting between head Olympiacos offcials and representatives of Argentinean club Independiente, Olympiacos has announced that Leonel Núñez has played his last match in Piraeus. With an offer of approximately 2.5 million €, Independiente have bought the 23-year old from the Greek Champions.

Núñez embraced the prospect of a move back to Argentina last week after being interviewed by the Greek press. “I am very happy that a coach like Borgi wants someone like me to wear the number 9 on his team. I talked to Julio Comparada and I am very interested in their offer,” said Núñez. He further flirted around the subject by saying, “Independiente is a great club and I am very interested in playing for them. It is a unique possibility for me as the team is doing well.”

Núñez was bought from Argentinos Juniors last summer for a fee of approximately 1.85 million €. He was transferred in with plenty of expectations hanging over him, it was obvious once he was awarded the No. 10 jersey; which was previously worn by two of the most successful Olympiacos’ players in recent history — Giovanni and Rivaldo. In short, the club saw Núñez as the next big thing in the league; hoping his success from Argentina would travel across the Atlantic Ocean to a club looking to add a more attractive style to their play. Unfortunately, never had time to establish himself as a starter after poor performances early in the season. As the season continued, Núñez was able to establish himself as a quality striker and creative attacker. In Olympiacos’ Champions League run he was not a factor; but when given the start in Olympiacos’ successful Greek Cup run, Núñez was Olympiacos’ most dynamic player.

Although his stay with the ‘Eruthroleuki’ was short lived, the player known as ‘El Gordo’ will always be known for this: