Moroccan Stars Ziyech and El Yamiq Face Career Crossroads Ahead of CAN 2025

Currently, Hakim Ziyech, 32, is without a club. He amicably terminated his contract with Al Duhail, after only four months of collaboration. He arrived in Qatar last January, after a period of "two or three months" of inactivity at Galatasaray, in Turkey. He scored a goal and provided an assist in 13 appearances, across all competitions.

Several European clubs, particularly in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, including Celta Vigo and Fiorentina, have expressed interest in him, but nothing is decisive for the moment. Dutch journalist Mounir Boualline recently stated that the Moroccan player was close to a return to the Dutch championship via Heerenveen or Twente, or even his former club Ajax Amsterdam. The Moroccan international played for Ajax between 2016 and 2020. He played 165 matches and delivered very good performances before joining Chelsea in a 40 million euro transfer. Before this adventure, Ziyech had played for Twente and Heerenveen, two Dutch clubs. For now, he is still without a club.

Defender Jawad El Yamiq, (33 years old) is in a similar situation. He too is without a club, after terminating his contract with Al-Wehda, which he had joined from Spanish club Real Valladolid with an attractive financial contract. He spent two seasons in the Saudi championship. He scored two goals in 28 matches. While media sources announce his return to the Moroccan championship, he has not yet received any offers.

The other Moroccan international in difficulty is called: Aymen Barkok, (26 years old). Recently, his contract with Schalke expired. He had joined the German club during the last winter transfer window. He played only four matches. While his name has been associated with the German championship since his debut at Eintracht Francfort, then at Fortuna Düsseldorf, Mainz and Hertha Berlin, he has not received any offers.

These difficulties threaten the football careers of these three Moroccan players.