Ziyech denies giving interview and casts doubt on return to Moroccan national team

Hakim Ziyech's name has resurfaced amid discussions about a potential return to the Moroccan national team, following media reports of statements attributed to him expressing his desire to regain his place with the 'Atlas Lions'. However, the player himself denied having given any media interview.

Statements attributed to Ziyech have linked his international future to his new journey with Botafogo in Brazil, indicating that the player aims to regain his form through his current experience and prove his ability to compete at the highest level once again.

According to what was attributed to the player, his transfer to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A was not only linked to financial aspects, but came in search of a new challenge and an environment that would help him regain the joy of playing football, after the end of his experience with Wydad Casablanca in a manner that did not meet his expectations.

Recent statements have linked Hakim Ziyech's potential return to the national team with his ability to deliver strong performances on the pitch, given the increasing competition for attacking positions and the emergence of several new names that have made their mark in recent times.

Hakim Ziyech has denied the statements attributed to him.

Despite the widespread circulation of these statements, Ziyech has come out to directly deny conducting any media interview, writing a comment on one of the posts that included the circulating statements: "I did not conduct any interview."

This denial raises questions about the source of the statements attributed to the player and their accuracy, particularly as they included comments about his future with the Moroccan national team and his new experience with Botafogo.

Hakim Ziyech, aged 33, has been absent from the Moroccan national team since September 2024, after being one of the key players for the "Atlas Lions" for years. He participated in the historic achievement during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, when the national team reached the semi-finals for the first time in its history and in the history of Arab and African football.

Recently, Hakim Ziyech's relationship with the national team has entered a different phase, as he is also set to miss the FIFA World Cup 2026, without having received a chance to return to coach Mohamed Wahbi's squad.

Hakim Ziyech's return is linked to his performance.

Away from the statements attributed to him, Hakim Ziyech's return to the national team seems primarily linked to what he will offer with Botafogo, as Mohamed Wahbi relies on technical criteria to select members of the 'Atlas Lions'.

The player has the opportunity to re-establish himself through his new experience in Brazil and regain the form he was known for in previous years, especially since the competition for attacking positions has become open to a number of young players.

Currently, Hakim Ziyech will be absent for the matches against Gabon and Lesotho in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualification 2027, with his experience at Botafogo remaining an important factor in determining his chances of returning to the Moroccan national team in the upcoming phase.