Things haven't gone to plan for Darwin Nunez since he left Liverpool to join Al-Hilal in the summer transfer window. The striker's time in the Middle East has taken another downward turn following the arrival of Karim Benzema.
The Uruguay international was expected to lead the line at Anfield for years to come when Jurgen Klopp reportedly used his significant influence to force through his arrival. However, after just 40 goals in 143 appearances in Red, Nunez never quite looked like a player capable of being the main man for a team with domestic and European ambitions.
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The Saudi Pro League switch in the summer looked to be the start of a new chapter for the 26-year-old, but it has all gone wrong. Following the much-talked-about transfer of Benzema from rivals Al-Ittihad, it appears Nunez is surplus to requirements.
Darwin Nunez Removed From Al-Hilal Squad After Failed Transfer
Darwin Nunez
Benzema, the second-highest-paid player in the league behind Cristiano Ronaldo, is the new talisman under Simone Inzaghi, and that has left Nunez out in the cold. Per Fabrizio Romano, the Saudi club have left the ex-Liverpool man out of their league squad.
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Along with former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari, Nunez will now only be able to appear in the Asian Champions League, but not the Saudi Pro League.
His return is relatively healthy this season, with seven goals and five assists in 23 Al-Hilal appearances across all competitions. The club are also leading the way as they look to wrestle the league trophy back from Al-Ittihad.
It looked like Nunez's six-month exile from European football was going to end in the January transfer window, as Turkish giants Fenerbahce were reportedly in talks to sign him. That deal, however, didn't go through, and he now finds himself down the pecking order.
Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino
Initially brought by Liverpool to be the eventual Roberto Firmino successor, Nunez has once again followed the Brazilian's lead. But for the wrong reasons this time.
Firmino left England in 2023 after an incredible eight-year spell at Anfield, where he won the Premier League and Champions League, to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli. However, he was also booted out of his team's squad list for league matches, just as Nunez has been.
The 34-year-old did play a big role in winning the AFC Champions League at the end of the 2024-25 season, but ended up departing to join Al-Sadd in Qatar.
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 12-02-26.