Nunez Faces Challenges in Saudi Arabia Following High-Profile Move

omidbasir- Darwin Nunez, the South American forward, made headlines when he transferred to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia for £46 million ($63 million) in the summer of 2025. Despite a promising career at Liverpool, where he scored 40 goals in 143 appearances, Nunez struggled to consistently deliver his best performance over three seasons and sought a fresh challenge in the Middle East, spurred by a lucrative contract.

Nunez’s debut at Al-Hilal was met with significant excitement, as his unique talents were anticipated to flourish in Riyadh. To date, he has netted seven goals in 23 appearances. However, his playing time is about to diminish significantly due to his exclusion from Al-Hilal’s Saudi Pro League roster. The club is limited to registering only eight foreign players born before 2003 in their 25-man squad, and star player Karim Benzema has claimed one of those spots following his transfer from Al-Ittihad.

While Nunez can still participate in the AFC Champions League, he will often find himself sidelined. This situation is mirrored by former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari, who has also been omitted from Al-Hilal’s plans for the second half of the 2025-26 season.

Head coach Simone Inzaghi commented on the difficult selection process: “The decision was difficult, but that’s the job of a coach. 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 further emphasized the value of having Benzema on the squad: “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 on the team – he benefits us in every aspect, not just on the pitch.”

Nunez’s departure from Liverpool came after he expressed a desire to leave during the January transfer window of 2025, having seen his role diminish under coach Arne Slot. Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has suggested that Arsenal should have pursued Nunez instead of spending £55 million ($75 million) on Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, stating, “I thought Nunez would have been tailor-made for Arsenal, a team that creates many chances.” Hamann acknowledged Nunez’s shortcomings but highlighted his physical presence and ability to draw defenders.

While Gyokeres has found the net 13 times for Arsenal this season, contributing to their position atop the Premier League table, Nunez is currently contemplating his next steps, with speculation surrounding a potential move to Turkish side Fenerbahce, as he seeks a return to European football after struggling to adapt in the Middle East.