Ziyech: Morocco boss gives final verdict on star's international future

The Chelsea star was excluded from Morocco’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Morocco manager Vahid Halilhodzic has no intention to recall Hakim Ziyech to avoid the attacking midfielder from creating ‘unbalance’ in his squad.

Even if the 28-year-old’s name was Lionel Messi, it still wouldn’t be enough.

Halilhodzic made his stance abundantly clear after being continuously quizzed on his decision to omit Ziyech from Morocco’s AFCON squad.

🎙 | Vahid Halilhodžić :

« Je vais vous le répéter pour la énième fois, droit dans les yeux.

Je ne prendrai pas Ziyech. Il a manqué de respect à tous les Marocains donc c'est terminé. » pic.twitter.com/5lWfDyWww6

— Ziyech Time 📲 (@ZiyechTime) February 3, 2022

“The players I have selected are the best in the country,” said the 68-year-old Bosnian as per Goal.

“I don’t select a player who can unbalance the group. Not even if his name is Lionel Messi. Ziyech’s behavior does not fit the selection. He doesn’t want to train, doesn’t want to play. He doesn’t take it seriously. I’m not going to beg him to come back.”

Halilhodzic added: “After the [AFCON] tournament three years ago, he was the most criticized. He was booed. You mustn’t forget that.”

Ziyech last played for Morocco last June in a 1-0 friendly win over Burkina Faso. The Dutch-born Moroccan has won 40 caps at international level, managing 17 goals and 10 assists.

Morocco, meanwhile, exited AFCON at the last-16 stage last weekend in a 2-1 defeat to Egypt after extra time.