Darwin Núñez has been removed from Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League roster following the arrival of Karim Benzema, marking a significant shift in the club’s attacking options. The move comes after a busy transfer window for Al Hilal, who recently secured the services of the French star.
The roster adjustment is a result of exceeding the foreign player quota in the Saudi Pro League, which limits teams to 10 non-domestic players in a 25-man squad. Núñez is now ineligible for domestic league games.
The Uruguayan forward will now only be available for a maximum of five league appearances this season, though he remains eligible for the AFC Champions League. This limited playing time could complicate his chances of securing a starting role with Uruguay ahead of the 2026 World Cup, especially with the recent departures of veteran strikers Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani from the national team setup.
A Difficult Decision
Alongside Pablo Marí, Núñez was cut from the squad to comply with the league’s foreign player regulations. Al Hilal will now rely on Benzema and Marcos Leonardo to lead the attack, with no further roster changes expected until the end of the season.
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Núñez’s exclusion from domestic competitions leaves him with limited opportunities to showcase his talent before the World Cup, though he will still be eligible for the Asian Champions League, where Al Hilal are currently enjoying a strong campaign.
