Darwin Nunez dealt brutal exclusion as Saudi giants land superstar

Darwin Nunez has been removed from Al-Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad following the high-profile arrival of Karim Benzema, leaving the striker ineligible for domestic fixtures.

The Uruguay international’s career has hit a new low in the Middle East just months after ending his association with Liverpool.

Despite a high-profile switch in the summer, the 26-year-old is now surplus to requirements for league action under manager Simone Inzaghi.

Benzema deal forces brutal cull

The dramatic exclusion comes as a direct consequence of Al-Hilal securing the services of Benzema from rivals Al-Ittihad.

With the former Real Madrid Ballon d’Or winner arriving as the new talisman, the league leaders were forced to reshuffle their foreign player quota.

According to reports, the ex-Anfield forward has been completely omitted from the registered list for the Saudi Pro League.

He will now be restricted solely to appearances in the Asian Champions League alongside fellow outcast Pablo Mari.

Transfer collapse and stats

It marks a sharp decline for a player who was once Jurgen Klopp’s marquee signing on Merseyside.

Hopes of a swift return to Europe were dashed in January after a proposed move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce failed to materialise.

The forward has managed a respectable return of seven goals and five assists in 23 appearances across all competitions this term.

However, that output was deemed insufficient to retain his spot ahead of the division’s second-highest earner.

Following in Firmino’s footsteps

Remarkably, the situation mirrors the fate of his predecessor at Liverpool, Roberto Firmino.

The Brazilian endured a similar unregistered status at Al-Ahli before eventually departing for Qatar.

While Al-Hilal continue their charge to reclaim the league title from Al-Ittihad, their summer signing faces a long spell on the sidelines of domestic football.