Darwin Núñez: Saudi Arabia Move Threatens Uruguay World Cup Spot & Goal Drought
- The move to Saudi Arabia hasn’t yielded the intended benefits for Uruguay’s Darwin Núñez.
- The complication stems from Al-Hilal’s recent acquisition of Karim Benzema, the French superstar.
- This effectively sidelines Núñez from consistent competitive action.
The move to Saudi Arabia hasn’t yielded the intended benefits for Uruguay’s Darwin Núñez. Just months after joining Al-Hilal from Liverpool in , the forward finds himself in a precarious situation that could impact his preparation for the .
The complication stems from Al-Hilal’s recent acquisition of Karim Benzema, the French superstar. Due to limitations on the number of foreign players permitted in the Saudi Pro League, coach Simone Inzaghi has been forced to remove Núñez from the league roster to accommodate Benzema, according to reports from Referee.
This effectively sidelines Núñez from consistent competitive action. While Al-Hilal remains a dominant force – currently leading the Saudi Pro League by a single point over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr – Núñez’s opportunities are now largely confined to the Asian Champions League. Even in a best-case scenario, that competition will offer only a handful of matches – a maximum of five, should Al-Hilal reach the final.
Núñez had made a positive impact during his brief time in the Saudi League, registering six goals and four assists in 16 appearances. However, the shift in team dynamics throws his World Cup aspirations into question. The looming tournament in Canada, the United States, and Mexico necessitates regular playing time, and the current situation at Al-Hilal offers no guarantee of that.
The timing is particularly concerning given Núñez’s recent scoring drought for the Uruguayan national team. After a promising start under coach Marcelo Bielsa, where he netted 10 goals in his first year, Núñez has failed to find the back of the net in his last 11 international appearances. His last goal for La Celeste came during the Copa América against Bolivia on .
His lack of goals has been compounded by disciplinary issues, including a five-match ban stemming from an incident following Uruguay’s Copa América semifinal defeat to Colombia. This absence further limited his opportunities to regain form and confidence.
In , Núñez participated in only three World Cup qualifying matches – against Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile – while Uruguay played a total of 10 qualifiers and two friendlies. This limited involvement raises concerns about his match fitness and integration within Bielsa’s system.
Despite these challenges, Núñez is expected to be included in Bielsa’s squad for the upcoming friendly matches in . Uruguay will face England at Wembley on and Algeria in Italy, with the date of the latter match still to be confirmed. These games represent a crucial opportunity for Núñez to demonstrate his form and stake his claim for a place in the World Cup squad.
Uruguay’s World Cup campaign begins on , against Saudi Arabia in Miami. They will then face Cape Verde in Miami on , before concluding their group stage against Spain in Guadalajara on .
The situation at Al-Hilal underscores the complex challenges facing players who choose to move to leagues outside of Europe’s traditional powerhouses. While the financial rewards can be substantial, the potential impact on international careers must be carefully considered. For Núñez, the coming months will be critical in determining whether his gamble on Saudi Arabia will ultimately jeopardize his World Cup dreams.
The arrival of Benzema, while a coup for Al-Hilal, has created a difficult dilemma for both the club and the player. Balancing the ambition to build a star-studded squad with the need to provide playing opportunities for all key personnel will be a delicate task for Inzaghi. And for Núñez, the pressure is on to make the most of limited opportunities and prove his worth to both his club and his country.