Daniel Muñoz’s remarkable rise comes full circle with first World Cup goal

Colombia opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan on Thursday morning, taking an important three points after returning to the tournament for the first time in eight years. Luis Díaz starred with a goal and an assist, but right back Daniel Muñoz also made the headlines by scoring the goal that opened the floodgates.

Israeli outlet Sport 5 and Colombian paper El Colombiano highlighted Muñoz’s long and difficult path to the top under the headline, “The player who defeated fate.” The 30-year-old did not begin his professional career until age 21, which is unusually late for a top footballer.

As a teenager in Anvigo, Muñoz dreamed of Atletico Nacional but was deceived by a man who promised him an opportunity abroad. He spent two years moving through Mexico, Spain and Italy, but as a minor he could not sign a contract there, and eventually returned home. In 2015, after going back to Medellin, he even considered quitting football before receiving a chance at third-tier side Total Soccer, where he trained hard and impressed Aguilas Doradas.

From there, his rise accelerated. He played one season for Atletico Nacional, the club he supported, then joined Genk for 4.5 million euros. After four years in Belgium, Crystal Palace paid 8 million euros, nearly double that fee, and he later provided the winning assist in Palace’s FA Cup final victory. In Mexico, where he once lived with no real chance, he scored his fourth international goal and his first ever in a World Cup, a fitting full-circle moment for the right back.