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Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech has seemingly called time on his international career, saying he will not play for Morocco again.
Former Ajax star Ziyech has not played for his country since a friendly against Burkina Faso in July due to a reported falling out with head coach Vahid Halilhodzic.
Ziyech was not included in Morocco’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Without him, Morocco progressed to the quarter-finals, but lost to eventual runners-up Egypt at that stage.
After Morocco’s elimination from the tournament, Halilhodzic said that Ziyech would not be welcomed back into the fold “even if his name was Lionel Messi”.
Ziyech, speaking to ADSports TV, has now had his say, and believes it is very clear he will not be featuring for Morocco again, at least while Halilhodzic remains in position.
“I understand them, but I will not return to the Moroccan national team and this is my final decision,” Ziyech said.
“It’s all clear for me how things are going over there and I am focusing on what I am doing and, right now, that is my club.
“At the end of the day, it’s a decision he makes and you have to respect it. All the lying that comes with it, it’s, for me, clear and I will not return to the national team.
“I understand and feel sorry for [the fans], but that’s the situation we’re in.”
Halilhodzic has previously hit out at Ziyech’s behaviour and attitude while on international duty, claims that the 28-year-old has refuted.
