Darwin Núñez is reportedly unhappy at Al Hilal despite scoring five goals in his first eleven games in Saudi Arabia.
Darwin Núñez moved to Al Hilal this season, but he is reportedly not entirely happy with his adventure in Saudi Arabia.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Uruguayan forward is already considering a new step in his career, despite having scored five goals in his first eleven games for the Asian club. On paper, the numbers are not disastrous, yet the feeling around the player is that the move has not fully delivered what he expected, either on or off the pitch.
The transfer to Al Hilal was seen as one of the eye-catching moves of the summer, placing Núñez in a league that has attracted several well known European stars in recent windows. Al Hilal offered him the chance to be one of the main references in attack, with a central role in a team built to dominate domestically and make an impact in continental competitions. However, adapting to a new country, a different culture and a very particular footballing environment is not always straightforward. Reports suggest that Darwin has struggled to fully settle, both in terms of lifestyle and in terms of football dynamics, where the rhythm and tactical structure differ from what he experienced in Europe.
On the pitch, Núñez has shown flashes of his usual qualities. His pace in behind, physical presence and constant willingness to attack space have given Al Hilal a direct threat up front. Five goals in eleven matches prove that he has not completely failed, but they also fall short of the expectations that a big marquee signing naturally carries. For a striker used to playing in intense, high tempo leagues like the Portuguese Primeira Liga and the English Premier League, the different tempo and defensive approaches in the Saudi Pro League may require a longer adaptation period than initially anticipated.
At the same time, the pressure to justify his status is constant. Whenever he goes through a couple of games without scoring, the discussion around his performances grows louder. That scenario, combined with the personal challenge of living far from Europe and South America, is said to have pushed Darwin toward the idea of a new chapter in his career sooner than expected.
This is where River Plate enter the story. Argentinian newspaper Olé claims that the Buenos Aires giants are closely monitoring the situation and studying ways to gather the financial means required to make a move. River are fully aware that signing a player of Núñez’s profile, in his prime at 26 years of age, would be a massive operation, both in sporting and economic terms. Even so, the club is reportedly prepared to explore all possible avenues, from potential sponsorship support to creative transfer structures, in order to at least open talks with Al Hilal.
One of River Plate’s main cards in this pursuit would be the presence of Marcelo Gallardo. The coach has a huge reputation in South American football, not only for the titles he has won but also for his ability to develop and enhance attacking players. According to Olé, River hope that Gallardo’s “charm” and track record could be a decisive factor in convincing Darwin that a return to South American football, this time in Argentina, could be the right move at this stage of his career. The idea of playing in front of a packed Monumental Stadium, in an environment known for its passion and intensity, might be particularly attractive for a striker who thrives on emotion and high energy atmospheres.
For River, the signing of Núñez would represent an enormous sporting boost. The club is constantly looking to compete for domestic and continental titles, and adding a striker with European experience would significantly raise their ceiling. Núñez’s style, based on powerful runs in behind, aggressive pressing from the front and a direct route to goal, could fit well in a team that often looks to combine possession with quick vertical attacks. In the Copa Libertadores, a player of his profile could be a real difference maker.
From the player’s side, there are also arguments in favor of such a move. At 26, Darwin is at an age where many forwards look to consolidate their status rather than experiment with environments where they are not fully comfortable. A return to a more familiar football culture could help him rediscover his best version, both mentally and physically. In addition, performing at a high level in a club with River’s exposure would keep him in the spotlight for the Uruguayan national team and for any future return to European football.
Darwin’s career path so far has already shown his ability to adapt and evolve. He made his name in Europe at Benfica, where he spent two seasons and quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous forwards in the Portuguese league. His performances in Lisbon, combining goals with a relentless work rate, caught the attention of several major clubs and earned him a move to Liverpool. At Anfield, he played from the 2022/23 campaign through to last season, experiencing the intensity of the Premier League, the demands of Jürgen Klopp’s football and the pressure of fighting for major titles in one of the most competitive environments in world football.
Despite moments of criticism and some inconsistency in front of goal, Núñez left Liverpool with the image of a player who always gave everything on the pitch, constantly stretching defenses, pressing high and creating chances. That profile made him attractive to Al Hilal in the first place, who saw in him a striker capable of leading the line with power and dynamism. The current reports of dissatisfaction do not erase his qualities, but rather highlight how important the overall environment is for a player to feel comfortable and perform at his absolute best.
At this stage, the scenario is still surrounded by uncertainty. Al Hilal invested heavily in Darwin and will not want to lose him without a significant financial return. River Plate, for their part, need to build a convincing and realistic proposal if they want to transform interest into concrete negotiations. The presence of Gallardo and the club’s prestige can help, but the economic side of the operation remains a major challenge.
What seems clear, however, is that Darwin Núñez is at a crossroads. He has the talent and age to still shape the next phase of his career in a way that matches the expectations created around him when he exploded at Benfica. Whether that future passes through a long stay at Al Hilal, a high profile move to River Plate or another destination altogether will depend on the talks between clubs, the financial framework and, above all, the player’s own ambition and feeling about where he can be truly happy and decisive again.
