Persona non grata under Vahid Halilhodzic, Morocco star Hakim Ziyech took advantage of the departure of the volcanic Bosnian coach to come back into favor and will be one of the main weapons of
the "Atlas Lions
" who start the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday against to the Croatian vice-world champions (11:00 a.m.).
To discover
Download the Le Figaro Sport application and follow the adventure of the Blues in Qatar
World Cup: group classification
Full World Cup match schedule
Relations between the two men had reached a point of no return in August 2021 when "
coach Vahid
" had excluded the Chelsea striker from the selection, justifying his decision by "
disciplinary problems
".
The reaction of the player was then not long in coming and the native of Dronten in the Netherlands immediately announced his international retirement, denouncing "
the lies
" of the technician.
But everything suddenly returned to normal with the ousting of Halilhodzic and the appointment in August of Walid Regragui which coincided with the rehabilitation of Ziyech (29), very popular in Morocco for his qualities as a dribbler and creator.
I didn't promise him anything except that I told him I was counting on him, and that's a fact, I want him to be at his best.
Walid Regragui
Since his arrival at the helm of the team, the former player of Toulouse and Ajaccio has taken care to spare the susceptibility of Ziyech, a player with a strong character who had also experienced difficulties with Hervé Renard, the predecessor of Halilhodzic .
The new coach has held numerous discussions with the striker to iron out differences and start afresh.
"
I didn't promise him anything except that I told him I was counting on him, and that's a fact, I want him to be at his best.
He has a positive energy, he knows how to work and I know his way of thinking more now.
When you see how he plays, it's hard not to take him to the World Cup
,” said Regragui.
Despite reduced playing time at Chelsea since his transfer in 2020 from Ajax Amsterdam, in particular due to physical problems, Regragui does not doubt for a moment his striker's ability to be the attacking leader of the "
Lions of Europe ".
'Atlas
'.
"
I believe in his experience
," says the coach.
During his long absence, Ziyech always remained in contact with the other internationals, in particular captain Romain Saïss.
"
Hakim has a strong personality, but when you approach him you find out that he is a very nice, fun-loving person, explained the Besiktas defender.
What he reflects on the outside is completely different from his true personality.
Sometimes you think he's rebellious, but what he loves most is being on the pitch.
He is someone who has never caused any problems with national team players.
»
As most people know, I still believe in myself.
hakim ziyech
In addition to above-average technical skills, Ziyech's strength is above all to never doubt and an unshakable self-confidence, often perceived as arrogance by the various technicians who have taken care of him.
“
My debut at Chelsea was difficult.
I started immediately with an injury, then I came back, then I had another injury.
So things didn't go as I had hoped.
But, as most people know, I still believe in myself
.
The Qatar World Cup is timely to set the record straight and demonstrate that he can be Morocco's N.1 offensive asset to lead his team to the final phase for the second time in its history after the World Cup. 86 in Mexico.
All World Cup winners since 1930
Go to slideshow (21)