Darwin Nunez Banned from Al-Hilal Return as Saudi Nightmare Worsens
Darwin Nunez has been handed a devastating ban from the AFC Champions League, compounding his ongoing struggles in Saudi Arabia. The former Liverpool forward, who travelled with the Al-Hilal squad, now faces an agonising wait until the World Cup before he can play competitive football again.
Last-Minute Suspension Dashes Comeback Hopes
Nunez was set to make his highly anticipated return to first-team action on Monday, but his comeback was abruptly suspended at the last minute. Al-Hilal were informed moments before kick-off against Al-Sadd that Nunez had picked up a booking in a match against Al-Whada on February 16, resulting in an automatic suspension.
This forced manager Simone Inzaghi to exclude Nunez from the squad entirely, meaning the Uruguayan striker did not even feature among the substitutes. Al-Hilal went on to draw 3-3 with Al-Sadd before being eliminated on penalties, effectively ending Nunez's season with the club.
Turmoil Since Liverpool Departure
Nunez completed a £46 million move to the Saudi Pro League outfit last summer, but his time in the Middle East has been marked by considerable turmoil. In February, he was unregistered by Al-Hilal following the arrival of Karim Benzema, a decision that manager Simone Inzaghi defended at the time.
"The decision was difficult, but that's the job of a coach," Inzaghi said. "He makes many decisions every day, even in every training session. Nunez and Pablo Mari are good players. I want them in all competitions, but we know the restrictions on registering foreign players."
As a result, Nunez was frozen out of domestic fixtures and limited to just two appearances in the AFC Champions League. To make matters worse, the Asian Football Confederation suspended the AFC Champions League due to ongoing unrest in the Middle East, pushing his anticipated return from March to April 13.
Season Statistics and International Duty
It has now been 56 days since Nunez last appeared in a competitive club fixture. Throughout the 2025/26 season, he has made 24 appearances for Al-Hilal, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in over 1,600 minutes on the pitch.
Despite his club woes, Nunez was called up for Uruguay's international squad for friendlies against England and Algeria earlier in March. However, during this international window, he managed just 24 minutes of game time, highlighting his limited opportunities.
Focus Shifts to World Cup Preparation
With Al-Hilal's elimination from the AFC Champions League, Nunez will not represent the side again this campaign. The 26-year-old must now depend on training sessions and individual preparation to get ready for the upcoming World Cup, where he will hope to regain form and confidence on the global stage.
This latest setback adds to a challenging period for the striker, who left Liverpool with high expectations but has faced a series of obstacles in Saudi Arabia. As the World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on whether Nunez can overcome these difficulties and deliver for his national team.
