Al Hilal Excludes Former Benfica Star Darwin from Saudi League Squad Ahead of World Cup

Al Hilal's head coach, Italian Simone Inzaghi, has made the significant decision to exclude former Benfica player Darwin from the club's registered squad for the remainder of the Saudi Professional League season. This move means Darwin will not participate in domestic league matches but remains eligible for the Asian Champions League.

Darwin, a Uruguayan international, joined Al Hilal last summer in a high-profile transfer from Liverpool valued at 53 million euros. His exclusion from the league squad comes shortly after the arrival of French star Karim Benzema, whose registration has influenced squad composition due to foreign player limits. Alongside Darwin, Italian defender Pablo Marí also finds himself omitted from the league list, restricting his participation to continental competitions.

The Saudi Professional League enforces strict regulations on the number of foreign players allowed in registered squads, particularly those over 21 years old. In this context, Darwin's omission reflects the club's strategic prioritization of other foreign signings. Notably, Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo, another former Benfica player who had been linked with a possible departure, has been retained in the league squad. He is included among the eight foreign players registered for national competitions, alongside compatriot Malcom, Benzema, French defender Theo Hernández, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly, Portuguese midfielder Rúben Neves, and Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Al Hilal currently leads the Saudi Professional League with 50 points, holding a narrow one-point advantage over rivals Al Nassr, managed by Jorge Jesus and featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix. This competitive context adds pressure on Inzaghi's squad selection decisions as the club aims to maintain its position at the top of the table.

Darwin's limited role in the domestic league ahead of the World Cup could affect his match fitness and visibility, although his continued involvement in the Asian Champions League offers some competitive opportunities. Moving forward, Al Hilal will likely monitor squad dynamics and player performances closely as the season progresses, balancing domestic ambitions with continental commitments. The club's next fixtures and potential adjustments in the January transfer window could further influence Darwin's standing and playing time.