Darwin Nunez was replaced by Karim Benzema in Al-Hilal's 25-man squad for the Saudi Pro League and the ex-Liverpool star responded to the snub in the best possible way
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 26: Darwin Nunez of team Al-Hilal FC during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Hilal and Al Khaleej at Kingdom Arena on December 26, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez was ruthlessly dropped by Al-Hilal(Image: Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
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Darwin Nunez let his football do the talking after being cut from Al-Hilal's squad for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season. Former Liverpool star Nunez was brutally axed following the arrival of Karim Benzema in January.
Saudi clubs are only allowed to register eight foreign players born before 2003 in their 25-man squads and Nunez was the fall guy. It was a new low for the striker, who joined Al-Hilal for an initial £46.2million from Liverpool last summer.
But Nunez can still play in AFC Champions League matches. On Monday, the Uruguay international got the nod to start Al-Hilal's clash with Al-Wahda and came up with the goods.
Nunez scored both goals as the Saudi heavyweights beat Al-Wahda of the UAE 2-1. After heading in his first, the 26-year-old performed a muted celebration.
After giving Al-Hilal the lead again in the 77th minute, Nunez turned around and stared directly at the owner's box inside the Kingdom Arena. It was a pointed reminder of what the ex-Benfica forward can do, taking his tally for the season to nine goals in 24 appearances.
Nunez wasn't alone in being cut from the squad. Former Arsenal centre-back Pablo Mari was also culled and played an hour of Tuesday's win. "The decision was difficult, but that's the job of a coach," Al-Hilal boss Simone Inzaghi admitted.
"He makes many decisions every day, even in every training session. Nunez and Pablo are good players. I want them in all competitions, but we know the restrictions on registering foreign players.
"We couldn't register Marcos Leonardo as a player born in Saudi Arabia. Time was of the essence, and I made the difficult decision. I calmly informed the excluded players of my decision."
Inzaghi added: "Everyone knows Benzema. He's a great champion. He doesn't need to score a hat-trick to show his potential. We're happy to have him in the team - he benefits us in every aspect, not just on the pitch."
Al-Hilal are currently top of the Saudi table, one point above Al-Nassr in second and three above third-placed Al-Ahli. Inzaghi's side host reigning champions Al-Ittihad on Saturday before making the trip to Al-Taawoun in midweek, as they look to continue their unbeaten league campaign.