Milton Núñez


Milton Omar Núñez García is a retired Honduran footballer who played as a striker.
Nuñez played a few seasons in Honduras before moving abroad to play for Comunicaciones in Guatemala and for Nacional in Uruguay. He then briefly appeared for PAOK in the Superleague Greece and for Sunderland in the Premier League.

Club career

Early career

Born in Sambo Creek, Honduras, Nuñez played a few seasons in Honduras with Deportes Progreseño and Real España before moving abroad to play for Guatemalan side Comunicaciones and for Uruguayan club Nacional.

PAOK

In 1999, Nuñez joined Greek club PAOK.

Sunderland

In March 2000, Nuñez signed for Premier League side Sunderland. The transfer fee paid to former club Nacional was reported as £1.6 million plus a possible further £1 million in bonuses.
Perhaps the most popular theory surrounding his signing is that Peter Reid, who was the manager when Núñez was brought to the Stadium of Light, thought that he had signed Núñez's strike partner at PAOK, Adolfo Valencia, and not Núñez himself. Another theory, which seems untrue but is still often repeated is that Nunez was in fact playing for a Uruguayan 3rd division team with a similar name to Nacional, something which later led to a lawsuit from Sunderland. Nunez stayed in England for two years before returning to Nacional, after playing just once for Sunderland against Wimbledon in the league and Luton Town in the League Cup.
He returned to Nacional and then had a couple of seasons in Mexico.

Back in Honduras

Núñez returned to his native Honduras in 2004 and he signed for Olimpia in summer 2007 and in June 2008 he rejoined Marathón before moving abroad again.

Guatemala

In 2009, Núñez crossed the border to play for Guatemalan side Jalapa and then joined USAC for the 2010 Clausura championship, along with Selvin Motta and former national team goalkeeper Paulo César Motta. In June 2010, he rejoined Comunicaciones.
In February 2013, a historic fine was imposed on a Guatemalan football club after fans of Heredia racially abused USAC's black striker Núñez.

International career

Tyson made his debut for Honduras in a May 1994 Miami Cup match against El Salvador and has earned a total of 86 caps, scoring 33 goals, making him third on Honduras' national team's all-time goalscorers list.
He has represented his country in 24 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and played at the 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001,2003 and 2005 UNCAF Nations Cups as well as at the 1996, 2000 and 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cups.
His final international was an October 2008 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Jamaica.

Personal life

Nuñez received the nickname Tyson due to his resemblance to former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.

Career statistics

Club

Sources:

International goals

Source:
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.May 5, 1994Miami, United States2–1WinMiami Cup
2.December 3, 1995Santa Ana, El Salvador2–0WinUNCAF Nations Cup 1995
3.December 10, 1995San Salvador, El Salvador3–0WinUNCAF Nations Cup 1995
4.March 6, 1996Miami, United States1–2LossFriendly
5.November 17, 1996San Pedro Sula, Honduras11–3WinWorld Cup 1998 Qualifier
6.November 17, 1996San Pedro Sula, Honduras11–3WinWorld Cup 1998 Qualifier
7.April 18, 1997Guatemala City, Guatemala3–0WinUNCAF Nations Cup 1997
8.March 17, 1999San José, Costa Rica5–1WinUNCAF Nations Cup 1999
9.March 24, 1999San José, Costa Rica3–1WinUNCAF Nations Cup 1999
10.March 24, 1999San José, Costa Rica3–1WinUNCAF Nations Cup 1999
11.February 9, 2000San Pedro Sula, Honduras5–1WinFriendly
12.February 9, 2000San Pedro Sula, Honduras5–1WinFriendly
13.February 16, 2000Miami, United States2–0Win2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup
14.March 4, 2000San Pedro Sula, Honduras3–0WinWorld Cup 2002 Qualifier
15.May 7, 2000Tegucigalpa, Honduras3–1WinWorld Cup 2002 Qualifier
16.June 3, 2000San Pedro Sula, Honduras4–0WinWorld Cup 2002 Qualifier
17.June 17, 2000Port au Prince, Haiti3–1WinWorld Cup 2002 Qualifier
18.February 28, 2001San José, Costa Rica2–2TieWorld Cup 2002 Qualifier
19.May 23, 2001San Pedro Sula, Honduras1–2LossUNCAF Nations Cup 2001
20.May 25, 2001Tegucigalpa, Honduras10–2WinUNCAF Nations Cup 2001
21.May 25, 2001Tegucigalpa, Honduras10–2WinUNCAF Nations Cup 2001
22.September 1, 2001Washington DC, United States3–2WinWorld Cup 2002 Qualifier
23.September 1, 2001Washington DC, United States3–2WinWorld Cup 2002 Qualifier
24.September 5, 2001Tegucigalpa, Honduras1–0WinWorld Cup 2002 Qualifier
25.November 20, 2002San Pedro Sula, Honduras1–0WinFriendly
26.March 31, 2004Kingston, Jamaica2–2TieFriendly
27.February 19, 2005Guatemala City, Guatemala5–1WinUNCAF Nations Cup 2005
28.February 19, 2005Guatemala City, Guatemala5–1WinUNCAF Nations Cup 2005
29.February 21, 2005Guatemala City, Guatemala4–0WinUNCAF Nations Cup 2005
30.February 21, 2005Guatemala City, Guatemala4–0WinUNCAF Nations Cup 2005
31.February 27, 2005Guatemala City, Guatemala1–1TieUNCAF Nations Cup 2005
32.July 16, 2005Foxboro, United States3–2Win2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
33.October 7, 2006Fort Lauderdale, United States3–2WinFriendly

Honours and awards

Club

Comunicaciones
Nacional
Marathón
Real Espana
Olimpia
Honduras