Darwin Nunez: I wouldn't wish it on anyone after Al-Hilal exile, Al-Diriyah brace ends drought | OneFootball

Darwin Nunez says he endured a spell he would not wish on anyone during his final months at Al-Hilal, after ending his drought with a match-winning brace on debut for loan club Al-Diriyah.

The 27-year-old Uruguay striker struck twice in a fourth-round Roshn League win over Al-Ittifaq on Saturday, giving newly promoted Al-Diriyah an immediate lift. He had been short of competitive minutes.

Nunez’s bright start after his 2025 move to Al-Hilal faded under Simone Inzaghi, and he was later left out of the domestic squad. A season-long loan was agreed, with Al-Diriyah covering his wages.

"First, I am very happy with my return to football. The past six months at Al-Hilal were very difficult for me and for my family, because I was unable to play matches," he told Thmanyah.

"And honestly, I do not wish for anyone to go through an experience like mine, because in the end all of us as players want to compete, to play, and to enjoy what we do."

Several summer moves collapsed before Al-Diriyah emerged, including a proposed switch to Trabzonspor that reportedly fell through amid a contractual dispute. He remains under contract in Riyadh until June 2028.

By staying in the Saudi Pro League rather than forcing a return to Europe or Türkiye, Nunez has chosen immediate redemption. If he keeps scoring through 2026-27, he will undoubtedly become one of the most sought-after strikers, whether back at Al-Hilal or elsewhere.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”