Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech has responded to recent comments on the part of Moroccan national team boss Vahid Halilhodzic, amid suggestions that the 28-year-old had behaved in an ‘unacceptable’ manner whilst on international duty during the summer.
‘Behaviour that disappoints me’
The name of versatile midfielder Ziyech of course caught the headlines on Thursday afternoon.
This came after the aforementioned Halilhodzic was drawn on his decision to leave the former Ajax man at home for his side’s latest round of World Cup qualifiers.
Morocco faced off with Sudan last night, with a meeting with Guinea to follow next Monday.
Amid such a crucial stretch in the nation’s efforts to clinch a spot at next year’s Qatar showpiece, it therefore came as a major surprise to see star man Ziyech completely left out.
Halilhodzic, though, was not at all shy in confirming the motives behind his decision.
The former Yugoslav international drew attention to Ziyech’s behaviour ahead of Morocco’s fixtures versus Ghana and Burkina Faso back in June, accusing the attacker of arriving late, refusing to work and even feigning an injury:
‘His behaviour in the last two matches, especially the last one, was not that of a national team player who as a leader in the team has to be a positive role model.’
‘He arrived late and after that, he even refused to work. There was no point in discussing it afterwards, as a coach the answer is right there to see.’
‘For me, the national team is above everything, nobody can hold it hostage.’
‘For the first time in my coaching career, I have seen behaviour that disappoints me. A player who refuses to play a game, admittedly a friendly, on the pretext that he is injured.’
‘The medical staff made several examinations and said he could play. He then refused to warm up in the second half because he was disappointed to be a substitute. For me, that type of behaviour is unacceptable.’
‘You can’t cheat with the national team. You are 100% there or you are not.’
‘Speak the truth’
As outlined above, though, Ziyech himself was not prepared to accept the criticism of his national team boss without a fight.
In quick and none-too-subtle response on Thursday, the Chelsea star took to Instagram, to send the following message to Halilhodzic:
‘Next time when you speak speak the truth then…!!!’, accompanied by a clown emoji:
ThisIsLuckyBing
816
This is why I'm a fan of Messi and Ronaldo cause they both has that discipline, passion and love to play for their country and looking at these young stars they have ego and attitude problem
ELIKEMSAM
487
You labeled your manager a 🤡. That's unacceptable, no matter what happens between you and him, you need not go that far. Disrespect at it's height.
Desmondeyum
348
Ziyech beefing with Morocco manager so that he can stay with Chelsea during AFCON . True blue 💙
Immaculate003
341
Am not sure the Boss was lying. He couldn't have framed up Ziyech in this manner if such character wasn't displayed. It is only in Africa this attitude happens while in other parts of the world players are craving for international call up. Imagine good players performing week in week out without making his national team squad. I love you Ziyech but change your ways if what your coach said is true
Bimimru
236
leave my Hakim Ziyech alone some of the coaches there thinking capacity is low🙄🙄 how can you leave a star prayer on bench and imagine in Africa leaving the prayer who lifted the champions league cup🙊🙊🙊 I love you #Hakim_ziyech
voebkmuy
188
stop commenting nonses have you heard the side of Hakim or...you just pointing out what the coach has said go deeper and see what really happened
Absolutegenius
17
This is why I'm a fan of Messi and Ronaldo cause they both has that discipline, passion and love to play for their country and looking at these young stars they have ego and attitude problem
The same Messi who faked retirement twice and the same Ronaldo disrespected his captain's armband by throwing it on the floor?
negi_
17
This is why I'm a fan of Messi and Ronaldo cause they both has that discipline, passion and love to play for their country and looking at these young stars they have ego and attitude problem
yah no matter how high ronaldo and messi came they never once disrespected their manager like this that too in public....even if they were not on the same page as their manager...but to disrespect the manager publically....same goes for the manager.
ELIKEMSAM
13
stfu the coach disrespected him by saying that to the press he could have settled the issue as an elderly man without bringing it to the public
No matter what, a player must not call out his coach as a 🤡. Don't support the wrong thing because you are a Chelsea fan. Support football, and if you really do that, you'll realize that the player need to respect him manager.
ELIKEMSAM
10
you're a united fan you recall when Mourinho lambasted Pogba for poor attitude towards work and even had a scuffle with him on the pitch what did it result in? players are not kids to be disrespected in public they will definitely hit back at the managers to tell their own side
Did Pogba called Morihno a 🤡 at the time..?
hazardeden1017
9
This is why I'm a fan of Messi and Ronaldo cause they both has that discipline, passion and love to play for their country and looking at these young stars they have ego and attitude problem
ziyech obviously disrespected I can agree what about Ronaldo, how can u push a manager with ur hands in the case of pep that time it would be like wow goat touched human, my goat bla bla bla, that's physical and total disrespect too.
jzk
9
This is why I'm a fan of Messi and Ronaldo cause they both has that discipline, passion and love to play for their country and looking at these young stars they have ego and attitude problem
You want likes and likes you shall get
buwabilprs
9
This is why I'm a fan of Messi and Ronaldo cause they both has that discipline, passion and love to play for their country and looking at these young stars they have ego and attitude problem
yup, totaly agree🙌