Injury-Plagued Ziyech Faces Uncertain Future as MLS Move Looms

Absent from official competitions for eight matches in the Turkish championship and the continental competition, due to an injury sustained during the match against Lesotho (1-0) on September 9, which kept him off the pitch for a long period, Ziyech has returned to participate in the match against Antalyaspor as part of the ninth round of the championship last week. He only played for twenty minutes. The Moroccan attacking midfielder did not participate in the match against the Swedish club Elfsborg during the third round of the Europa League, which ended in a victory for the Istanbulites (4-3). The Galatasaray coach has modified the team’s playing style, preferring a strategy including three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards, without calling on Ziyech. This leaves room for several interpretations. It seems that Okan Buruk is sidelining the 31-year-old player. According to several media reports, the Atlas Lion could leave the Turkish championship for the American champion (MLS) during the next transfer window.

Ziyech is experiencing a similar situation in the national team. He is risking his place with the Atlas Lions due to his behavior, especially his positions on social media. In September, he attacked the Moroccan government in an Instagram post, accusing it of "supporting the genocide against the Palestinian people". "Let’s clarify one thing! Cursed be Israel, and any other country that supports this kind of behavior," Ziyech wrote in a first post on Instagram. "My last post, my last message was also addressed to the government of our country, which supports the genocide, as well as to all the other countries that support it. Shame on you. I’ve had enough," he added in a second post.

These posts sparked a wave of outrage on social media, but also, it must be recognized, a lot of sympathy from defenders of the Palestinian cause. "Ziyech’s stance has surprised everyone, including his teammates on the Moroccan national team," said some Atlas Lions supporters. "Ziyech, you are our star and our brother, and we respect you, and we will not attack you. It is your right, and even your duty, to express your position on the Palestinian issue," Omar Cherkaoui, a university professor, reacted in a Facebook post. However, he noted that "accusing the government of supporting the genocide against the Palestinian people is frivolous and irresponsible. And fortunately you have deleted this post, even if its effects persist. At least the deletion works in your favor and not against you." Moroccan supporters had meanwhile called for the player’s departure.

The arrival of Brahim Diaz is not helping Ziyech. Walid Regragui, the coach of the Moroccan national team, is looking for the right formula to find the right understanding between the former Ajax star and the Hispano-Moroccan midfielder. "We are doing trials for the moment, and I like to have great players in my team. For Hakim and Diaz, we are still looking for the ideal position for them. For now, there is still work to be done on the offensive side and we need more matches to do it," the technician said during the pre-match press conference against Lesotho.