Imagine going from lifting the Premier League trophy at Anfield to being benched in Saudi Arabia within months. That’s the harsh reality for former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, whose career has taken a jaw-dropping turn. Once a key figure in Liverpool’s title-winning squad, Nunez now faces a four-month freeze at Al-Hilal, his future shrouded in uncertainty. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this fall from grace inevitable, or a result of the Saudi Pro League’s ruthless foreign player quota system?
Just six months ago, Nunez was celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League triumph, his £64 million move to Anfield in 2022 seemingly justified. Fast forward to August 2025, and he made a £46.2 million switch to Al-Hilal, a move that promised a fresh start. Yet, today, he’s been sensationally axed from Al-Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad, relegated to Asian Champions League duty only. The reason? The arrival of 38-year-old Karim Benzema, who jumped ship from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, leaving Nunez as the sacrificial lamb.
And this is the part most people miss: Nunez’s exclusion isn’t just a club decision—it’s a symptom of the Saudi league’s cutthroat foreign player rules. Despite contributing 12 goal involvements (7 goals, 5 assists) in 23 appearances, he was deemed expendable. Simone Inzaghi, Al-Hilal’s manager, made a cold calculation: Benzema’s experience trumped Nunez’s potential. Now, the 26-year-old Uruguayan is in sporting limbo, his World Cup aspirations hanging by a thread.
For Liverpool, Nunez’s move was a strategic financial decision, recouping funds while shifting tactical focus. But with £10 million in add-ons tied to appearance and goal milestones, the club now watches with concern as those targets slip out of reach. Is this a cautionary tale about the risks of moving to the Saudi league, or simply a case of bad timing?
Nunez’s plight echoes Roberto Firmino’s struggle at Al-Ahli last year, though Firmino found redemption in the Asian Champions League. But for Nunez, limited minutes could spell disaster for his international career. A last-minute loan move to Fenerbahce under Jose Mourinho fell through, reportedly due to Nunez’s reluctance to walk away from his €16 million-a-year contract. With the Turkish window closed and European leagues out of reach, his options are dwindling.
Here’s the burning question: Can Nunez salvage his career, or will his Saudi adventure end before it truly begins? For Uruguay’s national team, his lack of competitive action is a ticking time bomb ahead of the World Cup. Once the embodiment of Premier League unpredictability, Nunez now finds himself trapped in a league that moves faster than he can adapt.
What’s your take? Is Nunez a victim of circumstance, or did he make a costly career move? Let’s debate in the comments!
