Chelsea Forward Hakim Ziyech Walks Away From International Duty With Morocco

• Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech has announced his international retirement after rift with Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic
• Morocco did not pick the Chelsea forward Ziyech for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which was held in Cameroon
• The Atlas Lions were eliminated by Egypt at the quarter-final stage thanks to goals by Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet

Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech has sensationally retired from international duty with immediate effect.

The 28-year-old announced his decision to quit the national team on Tuesday, six weeks after he was left out of Morocco’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ziyech has not played for his country since June last year due to the an ongoing row with Halilhodzic who claims the ex-Ajax star didn't want to train and wrongly claimed to be injured ahead of the Africa Cup.

Responding to those comments by the national team coach, Ziyech said: “Obviously I understand them but I will not return to the national team.

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He added: “Yes, it’s my final decision. It’s all clear for me how things are going over there, it’s all clear for me and I am focusing on what I am doing and that right now is on my club.

“Of course, who doesn’t but at the end of the day, it’s a decision he makes and you have to respect it but on the other hand if all the lying comes with it, it’s clear for me.

“Like I said before I will not return to the national team. I understand and I feel sorry for them.”

Ziyech won 41 caps for Morocco, scoring 17 goals. He made his debut for the national team on 9 October, in a 1–0 defeat to the Ivory Coast.

Ziyech frozen from national team

Ziyech's decision to call time on his international career came just weeks after he was axed from the Morocco squad selected for the just concluded 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

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The former Ajax star was overlooked due to an ongoing feud between him and Morocco national team head coach, Vahid Halilhodzic.

Back in September, Halilhodzic divulged that his patience with Ziyech had been pushed beyond breaking point.