Right-back Daniel Muñoz, an athlete from Crystal Palace, is emerging as one of the main names in the Colombian team in the current World Cup, having already found the net twice in four of the team’s goals, surpassing the performance of renowned players such as Luis Díaz, from Bayern Munich, and Jhon Arias, from Palmeiras.
Colombia, which currently leads Group K with six points, is preparing for a decisive clash against Portugal, second placed with four points, this Saturday (27), at 8:30 pm (Brasília time). The match, which could consolidate Colombia’s first position, will be broadcast exclusively on CazéTV and will be available on Disney+.
Daniel Muñoz’s prominence in the Colombian national team rekindles the memory of an old and intense interest in the player from two of the biggest Brazilian clubs, Palmeiras and Flamengo. At the beginning of 2020, while playing for Atlético Nacional, the full-back was coveted by both teams.
At that time, Palmeiras’ football director, Anderson Barros, even traveled to Colombia with the aim of negotiating the signing of Muñoz for the Alviverde squad. However, the transaction was made unfeasible due to a financial dispute between the São Paulo club and Atlético Nacional, regarding the acquisition of Miguel Borja in 2018.
Flamengo also showed strong interest in the player in the same period. However, the high figures demanded by Atlético Nacional ended up removing the Rio team from the possibility of an agreement. There was a moment, in mid-February 2020, when the two giants of Brazilian football kept their focus on the Colombian full-back simultaneously.
An informal contact with the ESPN team at Medellín airport, in Colombia, recorded the full-back’s reaction. Asked about a possible move to Palmeiras, Muñoz just smiled shyly, while his teammates joked about a transfer to Flamengo, increasing his embarrassment.
Despite the attention from Brazilian clubs, Daniel Muñoz ended up following a different path, opting for a move to Europe. In July 2020, he signed with Genk, from Belgium, where he remained for four seasons before moving to Crystal Palace, England, in January 2024. His European trajectory allowed him to develop his potential and reach the world stage, highlighting how opportunities can arise in different markets.
Last season, considering his performances for both his club and the national team, the full-back played a total of 53 matches, contributing seven goals and four assists.