In preparation for the FIFA Club World Cup, Hakim Ziyech announced his retirement from the Moroccan national team. A decision which he could have taken after missing out on the African Cup of Nations.
In Abu Dhabi, Chelsea have their mind on the Club World Cup which they will play. Ziyech has sent a message on his Moroccan international fture. The former Ajax man has confirmed his goodbye.
"I won't return to the national team. It's my final decision. I'm clear. Now I'm concentrating on my club. I understad the opinion of the fans, I'm sorry about them," Ziyech said. He was very disappointed about not making the AFCON squad.
The war between Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic, and Ziyech has been going on for a long time. In September, in fact, the coach said this: "For the first time in my coaching career, I've seen a national team player who does not want to train and says he's injured despite medical tests saying he can play. I won't tolerate this behaviour while I'm the coach."