Mohamed Salah faces a significant decision on his future this summer, but the situation his former teammate Darwin Nunez currently finds himself in should serve as a drastic warning
12:41, 24 Jul 2026
Darwin Nunez of Uruguay reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match against Spain
Darwin Nunez has endured a difficult time since his departure from Liverpool last summer
Mohamed Salah is currently facing the biggest crossroads of his entire professional career, experiencing free agency for the first time at arguably the peak of his powers.
The Egyptian has spent the best part of a decade lighting up Anfield and cementing his status as one of the club's all-time greats. Now, he is in the process of finding a new club after it was announced in March that he and Liverpool had reached an agreement to terminate his contract one year early.
While Liverpool themselves are seemingly yet to move on from their talisman, with the search for a right-sided attacker ongoing, Salah is also weighing up his options as a host of clubs from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and MLS battle for his signature.
Turkish giant Besiktas is among the clubs most strongly linked with the 34-year-old, although Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas, has been quick to squash any rumours suggesting his client's future has already been decided. Just six days ago, he posted on social media platform X: "I personally do not know where Mohamed will play next season. What does that tell you?"
As the rumours continue to swirl, one thing that will almost certainly be weighing on Salah's mind is ensuring he gets his next move right, not least because, at 34, time is ticking on his career.
It was always clear from Salah's reaction to being substituted late in games, or even left on the bench altogether, that he never took well to watching from the sidelines. His determination to play every minute possible and always be in a position to influence matches was one of the driving forces behind his remarkable rise at Liverpool.
Therefore, he would be wise to look towards former teammates who have made similar moves away from Anfield at various stages of their careers and consider how those transfers have played out. Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is one of the latest examples after departing the club last summer following the arrivals of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
Liverpool's Uruguayan striker #09 Darwin Nunez celebrates with Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah after winning a penalty during the English League Cup semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on February 6, 2025.
Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez of Liverpool.(Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Surprisingly, the Uruguayan did not remain in Europe as many expected he might given his age. Instead, he joined Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal in a deal worth up to $75.4 million.
On the face of it, his time in Riyadh has been relatively productive. Last season, Nunez scored nine goals and registered five assists in 24 appearances across all competitions, an impressive return considering he was removed from Al Hilal's squad list for the second half of the campaign.
The decision came after Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema joined the club from Saudi rivals Al Ittihad in February. With his future now uncertain, Nunez has since been linked with a move to MLS, with Atlanta United reportedly leading the race for his signature.
Of course, a player of Salah's stature and calibre would represent a major coup for whichever club eventually wins the race for his signature. However, Nunez's situation serves as a stark reminder that the most lucrative contracts do not always guarantee appreciation or security.
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For Nunez, a move to MLS at the age of 27 would represent a disappointing turn given the trajectory of his career during his time at Benfica and Liverpool. It remains to be seen whether another European club looks to capitalise should he become available on a free transfer but, as things stand, he remains under contract with Al Hilal and joined his teammates for their pre-season training camp in Austria last week.
Salah, meanwhile, is enjoying his holidays after Egypt's historic World Cup run to the Round of 16. They were ultimately beaten 3-2 in stoppage time by eventual runners-up Argentina, but not before taking a 2-0 lead earlier in the match.