Mario Núñez


Mario Antonio Núñez Villarreal is a Chilean former footballer well remembered for his spell at O'Higgins. He played as a striker.

Club career

A product of the O'Higgins youth system, Núñez is one of the historical goalscorers of the club. As a member of them, he got promotion to the 1999 Primera División after being the runner-up in the 1998 Primera B alongside players such as Darío Gálvez, Pedro Rivera, Rolando Azas, among others. In the 1999 season, he became the top goalscorer of the league.
Abroad, he had stints with Independiente in Argentina and Litex Lovech in Bulgaria. He also had trials with both Central Córdoba and Sarmiento in 1997 and the Spanish side Salamanca in 2000.
His last club was Magallanes in 2011.

International career

Núñez made seven appearances and scored two goals for the Chile national team in 2000. Along with Chile, he won the.

Personal life

His nickname is Oso, but he doesn't know its origin.
His son, Daniel, is a professional tennis player.

Post-retirement

Núñez worked in the mining industry at El Teniente.
Settled in Rancagua, Núñez coaches amateur and school football teams and owns a football academy.

Honours

Provincial Osorno
Chile
  • :
Individual