Darwin Nunez’s Saudi adventure has taken a dramatic turn, with the Uruguayan striker unexpectedly dropped from Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad just months after his high-profile move from Liverpool. The decision, finalized on February 12, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the footballing world and left Nunez’s future in Riyadh hanging by a thread.
Nunez, who made the switch to Al Hilal in August 2025 for a reported £46 million, arrived with big expectations, carrying the reputation of a relentless goal-getter from his days at Liverpool. Over three seasons at Anfield, he notched up 40 goals and 26 assists in 143 appearances. Despite flashes of brilliance, his time in England was marked by inconsistency and managerial upheaval—most notably, a diminished role under Arne Slot after Jurgen Klopp’s departure in 2024. Upon leaving Liverpool, Nunez posted a heartfelt farewell: “Thank you, Liverpool. Three years on, it’s time to say goodbye. I’ll take with me countless memories that will live with me forever. I leave with a full heart, thanks to the love of a crowd that never let me down and always had my back - through the highs and through the lows. Liverpool will always be part of who I am. I’ll miss you more than words can say. To all the staff and my teammates - thank you and all the very best for the future.”
His start in Saudi Arabia was promising. Nunez scored four goals in his first five matches for Al Hilal and added a further three in his next 18 appearances, bringing his total to seven goals and five assists. He started 14 of the team’s first 20 league games, indicating that he was initially a key part of Simone Inzaghi’s plans. But as the season wore on, his form dipped, and speculation about his future began swirling—fuelled by persistent transfer rumors and reported interest from Turkish giants Fenerbahce during the January 2026 window. Although a move to Turkey was explored, no deal materialized, and Nunez remained in Riyadh, hoping for stability that now seems elusive.
The catalyst for this upheaval? The blockbuster arrival of Karim Benzema. The Ballon d’Or winner, fresh from a stint at Al Ittihad, joined Al Hilal in January and immediately made his presence felt, scoring a hat-trick on his debut in a 6-0 rout of Al-Okhdood. Benzema’s arrival forced Al Hilal’s hand, given the Saudi Pro League’s strict foreign player quota—only eight foreign players over the age of 21 can be registered per club for domestic league play. With Benzema, Yassine Bounou, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Theo Hernandez, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom, and Marcos Leonardo filling those slots, Nunez and fellow new arrival Pablo Mari (formerly of Arsenal and Fiorentina) found themselves the odd men out.
This decision has left Nunez in a peculiar limbo. He is now ineligible for the remainder of the Saudi Pro League season, able to feature only in the AFC Champions League Elite, where Al Hilal are still in contention. The club, four-time winners of the continental competition (though not since 2021), played out a goalless draw against Dubai’s Shabab Al Ahli on February 10, with both Nunez and Mari starting. If Al Hilal go all the way to the final, Nunez could play a maximum of six more club matches before the 2026 World Cup kicks off this summer.
The move to drop Nunez from the domestic roster has surprised many observers and pundits, who saw him as a marquee signing just months ago. According to Saudi newspaper Al-Youm (via YS Scores), Al Hilal management “removed” the striker from the local roster, signaling that he may not be part of their long-term plans. This sentiment was echoed by several sources, with one report stating: “The decision is described as a surprise to Pro League observers. However, he remains part of the club’s Asian competition plans, with his name kept on the AFC Champions League list as they chase continental glory.”
For Nunez, the timing could hardly be worse. At 26, he’s entering the prime years of his career and faces the prospect of limited club football just months before Uruguay’s World Cup campaign. Uruguay will compete in Group H alongside Spain, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia—a group that will surely test Nunez’s mettle should he retain his starting spot for the national team. The lack of regular league action could affect his sharpness and standing with Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa, especially as the world’s eyes turn to the summer tournament.
Despite the setback, Nunez’s time at Al Hilal hasn’t been a total wash. In addition to his league contributions, he netted once in five AFC Champions League Elite matches and offered versatility up front, even if he failed to consistently hit the heights expected. Yet, with Benzema now firmly installed as Simone Inzaghi’s preferred centre forward, Nunez’s opportunities look increasingly scarce. The club’s foreign player list for the remainder of the season reads like a who’s who of international talent, leaving little room for sentiment or patience regarding underperforming stars.
Off the pitch, Nunez’s situation has sparked plenty of debate among fans and pundits alike. Some point to the club’s ambitious recruitment policy—spending big on established European stars—as a double-edged sword that breeds intense competition, but also instability for those not immediately delivering. Others question whether Nunez was given enough time to adapt, or if the arrival of a superstar like Benzema was always going to spell trouble for his status in the squad.
Meanwhile, Pablo Mari finds himself in a similar predicament. The former Arsenal and Monza defender joined Al Hilal from Fiorentina in January but has also been left out of the Saudi Pro League squad, though he remains eligible for continental fixtures. Al Hilal’s approach, dictated by league regulations and a relentless pursuit of silverware, leaves little room for sentimentality.
Looking ahead, Nunez’s next opportunity to impress will come in the AFC Champions League, with Al Hilal set to face Al-Wahda on February 17. With transfer speculation bound to intensify as the summer window approaches, the Uruguayan’s long-term future in Riyadh remains anything but settled. Will he fight for his place, seek a move back to Europe, or carve out a new chapter elsewhere? For now, all eyes are on his performances in Asia’s top club competition—and on how he responds to this latest career curveball.
As the Saudi Pro League season continues without him, Darwin Nunez faces a defining crossroads. With the World Cup looming and his club situation in flux, the coming months could prove pivotal for both his international ambitions and his professional trajectory.