Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech ‘honoured’ to be called up by Morocco for World Cup 2022 after shock retirement U-turn

CHELSEA star Hakim Ziyech is “honoured” to have been called up by Morocco for the 2022 World Cup after performing a shock U-turn on international retirement.

The winger, 29, vowed to never play for his country again after a falling out with old boss Vahid Halilhodzic.

AFP

Hakim Ziyech performed an international retirement U-turn after Vahid Halilhodzic left his post[/caption]

He missed out at the Africa Cup of Nations and before September’s fixtures against Chile and Paraguay, he hadn’t featured for Morocco since June 2021.

Halilhodzic is now old news and Walid Regragui is in charge.

And Regragui will lead Morocco into Qatar with Ziyech firmly in his plans.

Morocco will contest World Cup Group F alongside Croatia, Belgium and Canada.

And Ziyech has taken to Instagram to say he is “honoured” to play for his country at the winter tournament.

Morocco will need main man Ziyech firing if they’re to beat two of their group mates to a knockout spot.

However, the Chelsea ace isn’t having the best of seasons.

Ziyech has played just eight times across all competitions this season.

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He has no goals or assists to his name and appears to be out of boss Graham Potter’s plans.

Out of those eight appearances, Ziyech has started just twice, coming in the EFL Cup loss to Manchester City and Chelsea’s league defeat to Southampton.

West Ham summer signing Nayef Aguerd will also feature for Morocco with the defender shaking off a lengthy injury sustained in pre-season against Rangers.