Rafael Núñez (footballer)

Rafael Núñez
Personal information
Full name	Rafael Leonardo Núñez Mata
Date of birth	25 January 2002 (age 23)
Place of birth	Bonao, Dominican Republic
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Cartagena; (on loan from Elche)
Number	38
Youth career
	Rayo Vallecano
2015–2021	Atlético Madrid
Senior career*
Years	Team
2021	Atlético Madrid B
2021	→ Atlético Ottawa (loan)
2022–2023	Almería B
2023–2024	Elche B
2023–	Elche
2025–	→ Cartagena (loan)
International career‡
2021–	Dominican Republic U23
2024	Dominican Republic Olympic
2022–	Dominican Republic
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 March 2025; ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 March 2025

Rafael Leonardo Núñez Mata (born 25 January 2002) is a Dominican professional footballer who plays as a winger for Spanish Segunda División club Cartagena on loan from Elche.

Early life

Núñez was born in Bonao, Dominican Republic and grew up in Spain.^[2]

In 2015, Núñez joined the academy program of La Liga side Atlético Madrid.^[2] In June 2021, he went on loan with Atléti-owned Canadian Premier League side Atlético Ottawa.^[2] He made his professional debut on June 26 against FC Edmonton.