Victor Munoz: Iraola’s First Signing at Liverpool and World Cup Aspirations
Victor Munoz has not yet kicked a ball for Liverpool or Spain at this World Cup, but his name is already sitting at the heart of two major storylines – the dawn of the Andoni Iraola era at Anfield, and a tournament dream currently trapped on the treatment table.
The 22-year-old became Iraola’s first signing last week when Liverpool moved decisively, triggering his £34.5m release clause at Osasuna to beat Newcastle United to his signature. For months, Newcastle had been in the strongest position. Bayer Leverkusen circled. Manchester United watched. Real Madrid, the club where Munoz made just two senior appearances before heading to Pamplona last year, also kept an eye on a former academy product they had allowed to leave.
Liverpool waited. Then Iraola arrived – and the picture changed.
Iraola’s call that swung the race
Speaking to EFE in Spain, Munoz made it clear: this was not just a financial play or a badge-of-honour move. It was about a plan.
"I've been focused on the World Cup, so I didn't want to hear much about my future unless it was something clear," he said. "Liverpool is an opportunity you can't miss.
"It all took place very quickly. Iraola transmitted his confidence to me, how his team plays. He had an important role when it came to choosing."
That was the turning point. Newcastle’s push, which had come closest to closing a deal, suddenly met a rival with a defined project and a manager who knew exactly where Munoz would fit. Liverpool, acting on long-standing interest, finally stepped through the door they had been hovering outside.
For Munoz, Osasuna was not just a stepping stone. It was the club that turned him from a promising Madrid cast-off into a full Spain international.
"Osasuna, it's an incredible place. I will always keep it in my heart," he said. "They have made me live the best football year of my entire career."
That “best year” has now launched him into the Premier League and onto one of the biggest stages in world football. But the timing has been cruel.
World Cup on hold
While his move to Liverpool grabbed headlines, Munoz has been unable to influence Spain’s World Cup campaign on the pitch. A muscle injury has kept him out of La Roja’s opening two matches – a shock draw with Cape Verde and a convincing win over Saudi Arabia.
The body said no just as his career screamed yes.
"We were carrying it (the injury), but I noticed a discomfort and we are trying to resume the process to be on the field as soon as possible," he explained.
The frustration runs deep. This is a 22-year-old living what he calls “the dream of a child”, suddenly forced to watch it unfold from the bench and the treatment room.
"They have been very complicated moments because this is the dream of a child and seeing that it can be twisted by an injury annoys you a lot."
The physical issue is one thing. The mental strain of waiting, of wondering if the World Cup will pass without a single minute, is another entirely.
Leaning on support to stay ready
Munoz has turned to the support network around him, including Javier Lopez Vallejo, the psychologist with the national team setup, to keep his head clear and his focus sharp.
"Both abroad and here with Javi I have my talks. It helps me a lot, it helps me to see another perspective of everything that happens here. It's a pleasure to have him," he said.
He leans on team-mates too, who have refused to let him drift into the shadows.
"My team-mates have been a fundamental pillar for me to be eager every day. [The World Cup] is the only thing I think about. It's a dream and I want to be on the pitch as soon as possible."
For now, Liverpool must wait to see their new signing in action, just as Spain wait to see if he can play a part in this tournament. The transfer is done, the vision has been sold, the price has been paid.
All that’s missing, for club and country, is the moment when Victor Munoz finally steps back onto the grass and shows why so many of Europe’s biggest sides tried to get there first.
