In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Muñoz and the second or maternal family name is Mejia.
Daniel Muñoz
Muñoz in 2025
Personal information
Full name Daniel Muñoz Mejía[1]
Date of birth (1996-05-26) 26 May 1996 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth Amalfi, Antioquia, Colombia
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Positions
  • Right-back
  • right wing-back
Team information
Current team
Crystal Palace
Number 2
Youth career
Águilas Doradas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 Águilas Doradas 81 (3)
2019–2020 Atlético Nacional 27 (7)
2020–2024 Genk 122 (16)
2024– Crystal Palace 82 (8)
International career‡
2021– Colombia 48 (5)
Medal record
Representing  Colombia
Men's football
Copa América
Runner-up 2024 United States
Third place 2021 Brazil
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 24 May 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 23 June 2026

Daniel Muñoz Mejía (born 26 May 1996) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a right-back or right wing-back for Premier League club Crystal Palace and the Colombia national team.[3]

Muñoz began his career after being signed by Águilas Doradas aged 20, making his senior debut in 2017, before joining Atlético Nacional in 2019. The following year, he was signed by Belgian club Genk, where he won the Belgian Cup in 2021. After making nearly 150 appearances for Genk, Muñoz joined Crystal Palace in 2024. He played a key role in the team's success, providing the decisive assist in the 1–0 victory over Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final, earning man of the match honours, and helping the club secure the FA Community Shield later that year.

Muñoz made his debut for Colombia in 2021. He represented his country at the 2021 and 2024 Copa América, helping Colombia to a runners-up finish in the latter, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Rionegro Águilas and Atlético Nacional

A lifelong supporter of Atlético Nacional, Muñoz was once part of the Los del Sur supporters' group; he left the terraces to focus on his playing career and soon impressed coaches with his energy and versatility.[4]

Daniel Muñoz's professional breakthrough came relatively late. After youth stints with Envigado and a failed attempt to sign with clubs abroad, he returned to Medellín and joined the amateur side Total Soccer. From there he earned a call-up to Rionegro Águilas (then Águilas Doradas) and made his professional debut at age 20 in early 2017.[4][5]

His performances for Águilas quickly drew attention, and within two seasons he secured a move to Atlético Nacional.[5] At Nacional, Muñoz developed into one of Colombia's most productive right-backs. In the 2019 Finalización tournament he scored seven goals and provided two assists, the most goal involvements in the team, while also leading Nacional in tackles (48) and aerial duels won (47).[6] His rapid rise saw him captain the side despite making only 33 appearances, fulfilling his childhood dream of representing Nacional and earning a call-up to the Colombian national team.[4]

Genk

In May 2020, Muñoz completed a transfer from Atlético Nacional to Genk in the Belgian Pro League for a reported fee of €4.5 million.[7] Muñoz quickly established himself as a key figure in Genk's defensive setup, noted for his versatility in playing both as a right-back and wing-back.

During his first full season, he contributed to Genk's victory in the Belgian Cup final against Standard Liège in April 2021, securing his first major European trophy.[8] Over subsequent seasons, Muñoz became one of the most consistent performers in the Belgian league, combining defensive solidity with attacking contributions. He regularly ranked among the top full-backs in the league for tackles won and progressive runs, while also chipping in with goals from set-pieces and late runs into the box.[9]

Muñoz was instrumental in Genk's 2022–23 campaign, where the club finished as league runners-up after a close title race with Antwerp.[10] His performances earned him recognition in the league's seasonal Best XI and further solidified his place in the Colombian national team.[11]

Crystal Palace

In January 2024, Muñoz joined Crystal Palace from Genk for a reported £6.6 million (€8 million), signing a contract until 2027.[12][13]

2023–24 season

Muñoz made his debut for Palace on 3 February 2024 in a 4–1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.[14] He went on to make 16 league appearances during the remainder of the season.[15]

2024–25 season

Operating under manager Oliver Glasner, Muñoz became a fixture in Palace's starting XI. On 5 April 2025, he scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Brighton at Selhurst Park.[16]

On 17 May 2025, in the 2025 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, Muñoz delivered the assist from the right flank that Eberechi Eze volleyed home for the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over Manchester City.[17][18] He was subsequently named Man of the Match for his role in that final.[18][17] The win secured Palace's first-ever major trophy.[17]

In April 2025, the club confirmed that Muñoz had signed a contract extension through 2028, acknowledging his six goals, ten assists in 54 appearances across all competitions, and a cumulative 106 tackles (the highest among Premier League defenders for that season).[19]

2025–26 season

In October 2025, in the UEFA Conference League encounter against Dynamo Kyiv, Muñoz scored the first goal in a 2–0 win, thus making him the first Crystal Palace player ever to score in the main round of a European competition.[20] On 22 November, Muñoz scored again in a 2–0 league win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.[21]

In December 2025, Muñoz was ruled out of Crystal Palace's league and European matches due to a knee injury. Manager Oliver Glasner confirmed that the injury, sustained in training, prevented him from participating in the fixtures against Fulham on 7 December and subsequent matches later that month.[22]

In early 2026, Gradient Sports, an Advanced Stats site, named Muñoz the Most Athletic player in the Premier League. Gradient defined Athletic as "a combination of speed, endurance and acceleration ability."[23]

International career

Muñoz was called up to the Colombia national team in September 2019, but had to withdraw with a hamstring injury.[24] In March 2020, he was again called up by Carlos Queiroz to the national team.[25]

He made his debut on 3 June 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Peru. He substituted Stefan Medina in the 56th minute. In less than a minute he committed a foul which was upgraded to a red card after a VAR review.[26]

Muñoz scored his first international goal on 22 March 2024, on an assist from Luis Díaz in a 1–0 win against Spain in a friendly match, Colombia's first ever victory against the Spaniards.[27]

On 14 June 2024, Muñoz was named into 26-man squad for 2024 Copa América.[28] During the competition, Muñoz played six of seven matches as a starter, scoring two goals, the first one against Paraguay in first group phase game, scoring the first goal for a 2–1 win;[29] and the second one against Brazil into third group phase game, drawing the match 1–1 for Colombia.[30] He played all matches except the final because of his expulsion after receiving a second yellow card in the semifinals against Uruguay,[31] being replaced with Santiago Arias for the final against Argentina.

On 25 May 2026, Muñoz was named in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[32] On 17 June, he scored his first World Cup goal in a 3–1 victory over Uzbekistan.[33] A week later, on 23 June, he netted the only goal and earned Man of the Match award in a 1–0 victory over DR Congo, securing his country's place in the knockout stages.[34][35]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 27 May 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rionegro Águilas 2017 Categoría Primera A 30 0 5 0 — 2[c] 0 — 37 0
2018 Categoría Primera A 32 3 2 0 — — — 34 3
2019 Categoría Primera A 19 0 0 0 — 4[c] 0 — 23 0
Total 81 3 7 0 — 6 0 0 0 94 3
Atlético Nacional 2019 Categoría Primera A 21 7 4 0 — — — 25 7
2020 Categoría Primera A 6 0 0 0 — 2[c] 1 — 8 1
Total 27 7 4 0 — 2 1 0 0 33 8
Genk 2020–21 Belgian Pro League 40 0 4 1 — — — 44 1
2021–22 Belgian Pro League 29 0 2 0 — 5[d] 0 0 0 35 0
2022–23 Belgian Pro League 36 11 3 0 — — — 39 11
2023–24 Belgian Pro League 17 5 1 0 — 11[e] 2 — 29 7
Total 122 16 10 1 — 16 2 0 0 148 19
Crystal Palace 2023–24 Premier League 16 0 — — — — 16 0
2024–25 Premier League 37 4 6 2 3 0 — — 46 6
2025–26 Premier League 29 4 0 0 2 0 14[f] 1 1[g] 0 46 5
Total 82 8 6 2 5 0 14 1 1 0 108 11
Career total 312 34 27 3 5 0 38 4 1 0 383 41
  1. ^ Includes Copa Colombia, Belgian Cup, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  4. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearance in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearance in UEFA Europa League, seven appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa Conference League
  6. ^ Appearances in UEFA Conference League
  7. ^ Appearance in FA Community Shield

International

As of match played 23 June 2026[36]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Colombia 2021 10 0
2022 5 0
2023 8 0
2024 13 3
2025 6 0
2026 6 2
Total 48 5

Scores and results list Colombia's goal tally first.[36]

List of international goals scored by Daniel Muñoz
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 22 March 2024 London Stadium, London, England 24  Spain 1–0 1–0 Friendly
2 24 June 2024 NRG Stadium, Houston, United States 28  Paraguay 1–0 2–1 2024 Copa América
3 2 July 2024 Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, United States 30  Brazil 1–1 1–1 2024 Copa América
4 17 June 2026 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico 47  Uzbekistan 1–0 3–1 2026 FIFA World Cup
5 23 June 2026 Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico 48  DR Congo 1–0 1–0 2026 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Genk

  • Belgian Cup: 2020–21[37]

Crystal Palace

  • FA Cup: 2024–25[38]
  • FA Community Shield: 2025[39]
  • UEFA Conference League: 2025–26[40]

Individual

  • Crystal Palace Player of the Season: 2024–25[41]
  • Premier League Fan Team of the Season: 2024–25[42]
  • FA Cup Final Man of the Match: 2025[43]

References

  1. ^ "Latest updated Premier League squad lists for 2023/24". Premier League. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Daniel Muñoz". Premier League. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  3. ^ "DJTOGEL – Bandar Toto Online Terpercaya dan Game Online Terlengkap". djtogel.
  4. ^ a b c Betancur, Sebastián Manco (31 January 2024). "Daniel Muñoz: la historia del hincha que se convirtió en héroe de Colombia". El Colombiano.
  5. ^ a b Tossi, Franco (28 June 2024). "Daniel Muñoz, de alentar desde la tribuna con la barra de Atlético Nacional de Medellín a ser la flecha derecha de Colombia". LA NACION.
  6. ^ [1] [dead link]
  7. ^ "GENK – Deal on Daniel MUNOZ". GhanaSoccernet. 29 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Racing Genk list Belgian Cup with 2-1 win over Standard Liege". Reuters. 25 April 2021.
  9. ^ [2] [dead link]
  10. ^ [3] [dead link]
  11. ^ [4] [dead link]
  12. ^ McVeigh, Niall; Davies, Tom; McVeigh (now), Niall; Davies (earlier, Tom (30 January 2024). "January transfers: Palace sign Muñoz, Villa agree Rogers fee – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  13. ^ "Crystal Palace sign Daniel Muñoz – News". Crystal Palace F.C. 30 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion 4–1 Crystal Palace: Seagulls beat rivals to put pressure on Roy Hodgson". 2 February 2024 – via www.bbc.com.
  15. ^ "Daniel Muñoz Crystal Palace Defender, Profile & Stats". Premier League. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  16. ^ "Munoz strike gives nine-man Palace 2-1 win over Brighton". Reuters. 5 April 2025.
  17. ^ a b c "Crystal Palace surprise Manchester City to win FA Cup". Reuters. 17 May 2025.
  18. ^ a b Hytner, David (17 May 2025). "Crystal Palace stun Manchester City to win FA Cup amid drama and Henderson controversy" – via The Guardian.
  19. ^ "Daniel Muñoz pens new Palace deal – News". Crystal Palace F.C. 18 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Crystal Palace set new club record with Conference League win". The Independent. 2 October 2025.
  21. ^ "Wolves 0–2 Crystal Palace: Daniel Munoz and Yeremy Pino goals send Palace fourth as Wolves remain winless". Sky Sports.
  22. ^ [5] [dead link]
  23. ^ Ryan O'Hanlon (13 February 2026). "The Premier League's best and worst players at different skills". ESPN. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  24. ^ "Defender Munoz cut from Colombia squad for friendlies – Xinhua | English.news.cn". xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  25. ^ "Daniel Muñoz fue llamado a la Selección de Colombia". onefootball.com (in Spanish). One Football. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  26. ^ "Peru v Colombia game report". ESPN. 3 June 2021.
  27. ^ "España 0, Colombia 1". ESPN Colombia. 24 March 2024.
  28. ^ "Convocatoria de la Selección Masculina de Mayores para la CONMEBOL Copa América USA 2024". Federación Colombiana de Futbol (in Spanish). 14 June 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Colombia 2–1 Paraguay (24 de Jun., 2024) Resultado Final – ESPN (CO)". ESPN (in Spanish). 24 June 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  30. ^ "Brasil 1–1 Colombia (2 de Jul., 2024) Resultado Final – ESPN (CO)". ESPN (in Spanish). 2 July 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  31. ^ "Colombia 1–0 Uruguay (10 de Jul., 2024) Resultado Final – ESPN (CO)". ESPN (in Spanish). 10 July 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  32. ^ "Convocatoria de la Selección Colombia Masculina de Mayores para la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026" [Squad Announcement for the Colombia Men's National Team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup] (in Spanish). Colombian Football Federation. 25 May 2026. Archived from the original on 26 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  33. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (18 June 2026). "Colombia squeeze past dogged Uzbekistan to open World Cup campaign with victory". The Guardian.
  34. ^ "Daniel Munoz goal sends Colombia into 2026 World Cup knockout stage as they beat DR Congo: Live updates, reaction". The New York Times. 24 June 2026.
  35. ^ "Munoz fires Colombia into knockout phase". FIFA. 24 June 2026.
  36. ^ a b Daniel Muñoz at National-Football-Teams.com Edit this at Wikidata
  37. ^ "Onuachu with an assist as Genk clinch Belgian Cup title after Standard Liege win". Goal. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Crystal Palace 1–0 Manchester City". BBC Sport. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  39. ^ "FA Cup holders Crystal Palace beat Premier League champions Liverpool 3–2 on penalties after a 2–2 draw to win an enthralling Community Shield at Wembley". BBC Sport. 10 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  40. ^ McKenna, Chris (27 May 2026). "Crystal Palace 1–0 Rayo Vallecano". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  41. ^ "Muñoz crowned 2024/25 Palace Men's Player of the Season". Crystal Palace F.C. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  42. ^ "REVEALED: 2024/25 Fan Team of the Season". Premier League. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  43. ^ @EmiratesFACup (17 May 2025). "Your @emirates Player of the Match from the 2025 #EmiratesFACup Final... Daniel Muñoz" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 May 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).