Karim Benzema signing forces Darwin Núñez out of Al-Hilal's Saudi Pro League squad
(Courtesy : Getty)
The Uruguayan forward will only play in AFC Champions League games.
The club’s aggressive drive to lure international football talents has resulted in a massive roster reorganisation. Following the addition of prolific striker Karim Benzema, who made an impressive debut by scoring a hat-trick, Darwin Nunez was cut from Al-Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad.
It indirectly means he can now play no more than five games for the team this season.
Nunez was one of the players removed from Al-Hilal’s roster of foreign players for the Saudi Pro League during the winter transfer window. It was reported on Thursday.
Nunez snubbed to make room for Benzema
The 26-year-old was cut to make place for Karim Benzema, who earlier this month made a move from Al-Ittihad to their rivals.
Nunez’s fate appears to be sealed. He arrived at Al-Hilal from Liverpool in August, a transaction that cost the Saudi Pro League team an initial £46 million.
Darwin Núñez has only scored seven goals and contributed five assists in 23 games; his performance has fallen short of expectations. His lacklustre efforts have been seen as insufficient for a team that has its sights set on winning trophies.
The arrival of Karim Benzema has added more pressure on Núñez. Because of the former Real Madrid star’s instant influence on the field, Núñez’s role has become more and more minor. According to reports, Darwin Núñez will now only be able to play in the Asian Champions League after being kicked from Al-Hilal’s official league roster.
This puts him in a vulnerable position since he is probably going to be let go this summer, indicating a sharp drop from the lofty expectations that accompanied his transfer at first.
Which games will Nunez not play?
He will not play in the league games.
Why has he been removed from the squad?
To make room for Benzema.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.