Victor Munoz: Iraola’s First Liverpool Signing and World Cup Journey

Victor Munoz has not yet kicked a ball for Liverpool or Spain at this World Cup, but his name is already wrapped around one of the summer’s most intriguing stories.

The 22-year-old became the first signing of the Andoni Iraola era last week, Liverpool moving decisively to trigger his £34.5m release clause at Osasuna and beat off a queue of heavyweight admirers. Newcastle United pushed hardest. Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United and former club Real Madrid all circled. Liverpool struck.

The turning point? A conversation with Iraola.

“I’ve been focused on the World Cup, so I didn’t want to hear much about my future unless it was something clear,” Munoz told EFE in Spain. “Liverpool is an opportunity you can’t miss.”

Once Iraola arrived at Anfield, the picture sharpened. What had been long-standing interest became a concrete plan.

“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.”

For Liverpool, it is a statement of intent. For Munoz, it is a leap – emotionally as much as professionally. He leaves Osasuna after a single season that changed his career, and he knows it.

“Osasuna, it’s an incredible place. I will always keep it in my heart. They have made me live the best football year of my entire career.”

From Pamplona to Anfield, via a World Cup that has not yet truly begun for him.

World Cup on Hold

While his transfer dominated headlines, Munoz has been stuck on the periphery of Spain’s campaign. A muscle injury has ruled him out of La Roja’s opening two games: a jarring draw with Cape Verde and a convincing win over Saudi Arabia.

He is living the World Cup from the bench and the treatment room, close enough to touch it, far enough away to hurt.

“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 said.

Those few words carry the frustration of a young player whose timing had seemed perfect. Breakout season at Osasuna. Big move to Liverpool. A World Cup stage with Spain. Then a muscle twinge, and everything slows.

“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.”

He has leaned heavily on support staff and team-mates, searching for clarity in a moment that could easily cloud over.

The Mind Game

Munoz has not only been rehabbing his leg. He has been working on his head.

He speaks openly about his conversations with Javier Lopez Vallejo, the psychologist embedded with the national team setup, a figure who has become central to how he is handling this abrupt pause.

“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.”

This is the other side of elite football: a young player juggling the euphoria of a dream transfer with the anxiety of missing the very tournament that should showcase him. The physical recovery is one battle. Keeping belief alive is another.

“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.”

Spain wait to see when he will be ready. Liverpool wait to welcome a fit, World Cup-hardened signing into Iraola’s new structure.

Munoz waits for that first stride back onto the pitch – the moment when the dream stops feeling fragile and finally starts again.