Darwin Nunez and Pablo Mari Axed from Al Hilal Squad by Simone Inzaghi
Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has been removed from Al Hilal’s squad list for the Saudi Pro League, significantly reducing his chances of playing for the remainder of the season. The Uruguayan forward spent three seasons at Anfield, scoring 40 goals in 143 appearances, but was deemed surplus to requirements under manager Arne Slot as Liverpool invested heavily last summer.
The unpredictable striker was placed on the transfer list, and Liverpool secured a buyer in Saudi side Al Hilal, who paid approximately £46 million for his services. Since his move from England, the 26-year-old has featured regularly, netting six goals in 16 Saudi Pro League matches and scoring once in five AFC Champions League Elite games.
Foreign Player Limits Force Squad Changes
However, Saudi Pro League regulations restrict the number of foreign players clubs can register in their squads, leading Al Hilal boss Simone Inzaghi to axe Nunez. Al Hilal currently sit top of the Saudi Pro League after 20 matches, but as it stands, Nunez will not play again in the domestic league this season.
Former Arsenal centre-back Pablo Mari finds himself in a similar situation, having joined the club from Fiorentina last month. The 32-year-old Spaniard, who also had a stint at Manchester City, was at Arsenal from January 2020 until leaving permanently for Monza in 2023, making 22 appearances for the Gunners.
Mari moved to Saudi Arabia in January and has played in the Saudi Pro League, but is now out of contention for the top flight. Despite being excluded from the Pro League squad, both Nunez and Mari remain eligible to play in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Al Hilal's Foreign Player Registrations
Saudi Pro League sides are permitted to register only eight foreign players over the age of 21. The recent arrival of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad this month has directly impacted Nunez's position. Al Hilal's registered foreign players for Pro League action now include:
- Karim Benzema (France)
- Theo Hernandez (France)
- Marcos Leonardo (Brazil)
- Malcom (Brazil)
- Rúben Neves (Portugal)
- Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia)
- Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
- Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
Not being on this eight-man list is a major concern for Nunez, especially with the World Cup approaching this summer. Uruguay, in Group H alongside Spain, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia, will rely on his form and fitness.
Limited Club Matches Before World Cup
Even if Al Hilal reach the final of the AFC Champions League Elite, Nunez will only have six more club matches before the World Cup. This limited game time could affect his preparation and performance for the international tournament.
Al Hilal, the most successful team in AFC Champions League history with four titles—though none since 2021—played Dubai’s Shabab Al Ahli in the competition on Monday. Both Nunez and Mari started in the goalless draw, highlighting their continued involvement in continental fixtures despite domestic squad exclusions.
The squad decisions underscore the competitive nature of the Saudi Pro League and the strategic challenges clubs face in balancing foreign talent with league regulations. For Nunez and Mari, the focus now shifts to maximizing their impact in the AFC Champions League Elite while navigating limited domestic opportunities.
