Hakim Ziyech wants to return to Morocco: “I don’t want to demand a place, I want to earn it”

In an interview with AfricaFoot, the Moroccan international acknowledges that joining Botafogo could allow him to demonstrate that he still has the level required to represent Morocco.

“I don’t want to demand a place. I want to earn it through my performances with Botafogo,” states the 33-year-old player. If the coach subsequently believes that he deserves a call-up, Ziyech says he would be delighted to return.

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This statement comes a few months after his exclusion from the Moroccan national team for the 2026 World Cup. Mohamed Ouahbi had then favored players offering greater guarantees physically and athletically.

Botafogo to revive his career and return to Morocco

Hakim Ziyech also rejects the idea of a lucrative retirement in Brazil. His choice would not be solely financial: he says he had received more lucrative offers, but was seeking a new challenge and the pleasure of playing in a country where football holds a special place.

His departure from Wydad followed a different logic. Ziyech explains that he joined the Casablanca club out of conviction, to be closer to his family and play in front of the Moroccan public. The situation then reportedly changed within the club, revealing disagreements over working conditions and financial matters.

The separation was ultimately concluded amicably after eleven months in Morocco. Hakim Ziyech was expected to receive around 3.5 million dirhams when he left Wydad.

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Now committed to Botafogo until the end of 2028, the former Ajax Amsterdam and Chelsea player says he still has major ambitions. He wants to find the goals, assists and victories again in order to prove that his adventure in Brazil represents a revival, with a return to the Atlas Lions in his sights.