Nunez dropped from Al-Hilal roster following Benzema’s signing

Darwin Nunez has been dropped from Al-Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad following the arrival of Karim Benzema, marking a major setback for the former Liverpool striker. According to Chris Burton at GOAL, the 26-year-old Uruguayan has been left out of the domestic league roster because of foreign player limits after the club signed the Ballon d’Or-winning French forward.

The report adds: “Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has been axed from Al-Hilal’s squad after Karim Benzema joined.” Al-Hilal can only register eight foreign players born before 2003 in their 25-man Saudi Pro League team. With Benzema occupying one of those slots after moving from Al-Ittihad, Nunez no longer has room for league matches.

Although Nunez remains eligible for the AFC Champions League, he is expected to spend much of the domestic season on the sidelines unless the situation changes.

Head coach Simone Inzaghi explained the choice: “It was a difficult decision, but part of a coach’s job. Nunez and Pablo are quality players, but we are constrained by the foreign player rules… I calmly informed those affected.”

Since leaving Liverpool last summer for £46 million, after contributing to a Premier League title, Nunez has shown mixed results in Saudi Arabia. Six goals and four assists in 16 league games are respectable, but his expected goals tally of 11.48 and 14 missed big chances highlight the inefficiency fans remember from his time at Anfield.

Roddy Collins once described him as “mad as a brush but he caused chaos,” a characterization that still fits. Chaos is tolerated only when it produces consistent results.

Recently, reports suggested Fenerbahce is considering a move for Nunez, illustrating how quickly his situation has become uncertain. For a player who left Liverpool as a league champion with 40 goals in 143 appearances, this is a dramatic shift.

Statistically, it’s been an average season, but not an impressive one. Now, with Benzema favored and squad spots limited, Nunez will mostly be watching from the sidelines—a worrying scenario for a forward who thrives on confidence and rhythm.

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