Darwin Nunez delivered a powerful on-field response after being ruthlessly excluded from Al-Hilal's 25-man squad for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season. The former Liverpool star was brutally axed following the high-profile January signing of Karim Benzema, with Saudi clubs restricted to registering just eight foreign players born before 2003.
A New Low for the Uruguayan Striker
This development marked a significant setback for Nunez, who joined Al-Hilal last summer in a transfer worth an initial £46.2 million from Liverpool. The 26-year-old forward found himself as the unfortunate casualty of the squad registration rules, alongside former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari, who was also culled from the domestic competition roster.
Champions League Redemption
Despite his exclusion from domestic league action, Nunez remained eligible for AFC Champions League matches. On Monday, the Uruguayan international received the starting nod for Al-Hilal's crucial clash against UAE side Al-Wahda and seized the opportunity with both hands.
Nunez scored both goals in Al-Hilal's 2-1 victory, first heading home before delivering a muted celebration. His second strike came in the 77th minute, after which the striker turned directly toward the owner's box at Kingdom Arena in what appeared to be a pointed reminder of his capabilities.
Manager's Difficult Decision
Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi acknowledged the challenging nature of his selection decisions. "The decision was difficult, but that's the job of a coach," Inzaghi admitted. "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."
Inzaghi elaborated on the timing constraints that influenced his choices, noting that Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo couldn't be registered as a Saudi-born player. "Time was of the essence, and I made the difficult decision," the Italian tactician explained. "I calmly informed the excluded players of my decision."
Benzema's Arrival Changes Dynamics
The manager also addressed the impact of Benzema's signing, stating: "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 in the team - he benefits us in every aspect, not just on the pitch."
Nunez's double against Al-Wahda brought his season tally to nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions, providing a timely reminder of his value to the Saudi giants. Al-Hilal currently sit atop the Saudi Pro League table, holding a one-point advantage over second-placed Al-Nassr and a three-point cushion over third-placed Al-Ahli.
The Riyadh-based club faces reigning champions Al-Ittihad on Saturday before traveling to face Al-Taawoun in midweek as they seek to maintain their unbeaten league campaign. Meanwhile, Nunez has demonstrated that even when excluded from domestic competition, he remains a potent weapon in continental tournaments for the Saudi heavyweights.
