Morocco’s Ziyech Reflects on World Cup Pride and National Team Return

"My presence in the Moroccan national team means everything to me! It gives me pride and a sense of power, it also gives me goosebumps. Since our qualification for the World Cup, pride is the predominant feeling. My family expresses it a lot to me, especially my sister who is my biggest supporter. My brother is the one who criticizes me the most," said the former Ajax Amsterdam star in an interview with a Dutch media.

This pride, the Chelsea attacking midfielder feels it even more when he hears Morocco’s national anthem resounding in the stadiums of Doha, during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. "When the national anthem is played, I put my hand on my heart, I stand up straight and I lower my head, to be fully focused and feel its effect on me. Sometimes I forget myself listening to it... It also helps us get into the match atmosphere and detach ourselves from external factors." He assures that he fulfills his mission on the pitch, tries to give the best of himself and above all to make Morocco proud of him.

The 29-year-old player is a major architect of the historic and exceptional journey of the Atlas Lions at the World Cup in Qatar. He scored two goals (one is the second fastest goal of the World Cup) and provided an assist. His teammates and he were able to reach the semi-finals, before being beaten by the Blues (2-0) and Croatia (2-1) in the third-place match. With 19 goals, Ziyech is the third top scorer in the history of the Moroccan national team.