Karim El Ahmadi grabs an interview with the NOS to set things right about Hakim Ziyech. According to the former midfielder, the image that has emerged about Morocco’s attacking midfielder is not entirely justified. Under Vahid Halilhodzic, who accused him of a lack of discipline, among other things, Ziyech even disappeared from the national team for a while. However, in the run-up to the World Cup, and with Walid Regragui as the new coach, the Chelsea player returned to the Moroccan national team.
El Ahmadi played at the Africa Cup and the World Cup in Russia in 2018 together with Ziyech for the national team of Morocco. “It was a very nice time together. And I don’t think anyone has had any problems with him as a team player,” said the former player of FC Twente and Feyenoord, among others. “If you don’t know him, he may be a bit closed, but that quickly disappears. I have never heard anyone say anything negative about Ziyech in Morocco. Everyone could go through a door with him.”
Quel but de Hakim Ziyech face à la Georgie pic.twitter.com/1x4wnR9qhG
— Chebli Ishaq (@IshaqChebli) November 17, 2022
Halilhodzic had little interest in Ziyech, but that negative attitude towards the 29-year-old midfielder is not the case with El Ahmadi. “For example, what many people don’t see is that he is an incredibly generous person. He was always ready to help people in Morocco who needed it.” The 53-time international comes up with an example: “If we received some living money from the union during an international period, he immediately gave it to those around the team who had almost nothing, such as the people who provided the material.”
The general public does not often see that side of Ziyech, El Ahmadi knows. “Then you only see him if he doesn’t feel like an interview for a while. But if you know what’s happening indoors, you really can’t say anything negative about him.” Ziyech is ‘incredibly loved’ in Morocco. “Also because he was one of the few players who had the chance to play a really significant role in the the Dutch squad, but still chose Morocco. He has a huge impact on this team,” said El Ahmadi.