Darwin Nunez’s time at Al-Hilal has not gone smoothly since his move from Liverpool last summer.
Although the sale was expected, the Uruguayan probably envisioned a better situation post-Liverpool than what he is currently experiencing.
Despite being in the starting line-up for 14 of their 20 league games and scoring six goals, Nunez has become increasingly frustrated with his role.
The situation is clearly problematic, especially following Al-Hilal’s recent actions, suggesting issues are emerging.
Darwin Nunez left out of Al-Hilal’s domestic squad
The league leaders have made a move that caught plenty off guard, leaving Nunez out of their squad for domestic play.
According to the Saudi newspaper Al-Youm (as reported by YS Scores), Al-Hilal’s management has removed the former Liverpool star from the ‘local roster’.
He is still eligible to feature in the AFC Champions League, but this feels like another clear sign he is not part of their future plans.
Nunez nearly made a return to Europe in January, with strong interest coming out of Turkey. He chose what looked like a more stable situation at Al-Hilal back then, though that stability seems to have disappeared now.
Karim Benzema arrival could see Nunez exit Al-Hilal
In January, Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema made the move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal.
Benzema’s reputation speaks for itself, and he has not arrived just to make up the numbers. The club’s decisions since then have made it clear that Nunez might be on the way out.
But this does not mean it is over for him as a top-level player. There is still plenty of football left in him.
Nunez may not find himself at a club like Liverpool again, but there is every chance we have not seen either the last or the best of him yet.
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