Chelsea star winger Hakim Ziyech has broken his silence in light of his recall to the Moroccan national team, after he retired from international football just last month.
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The former Ajax man has insisted that he will not be returning to the squad despite recently being called up by the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The 28-year-old has not starred for the Atlas Lions since June 2021, and has since announced his retirement from international football.
President of the FRMF Fouzi Lekjaa said that Ziyech would be called-up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March, but the winger is adamant that he will not come out of international retirement.
The Netherlands-born playmaker took to Instagram to make his frustrations known, classifying the president's comments as "misinformation".
"I love my country and playing for the Moroccan national football team has been the honour of my lifetime, so it is with great sadness that I must announce that although the FRMF President today confirmed that I will be pre-selected for the team, I won't be returning to play for Morocco," Ziyech's caption read, as per Goal.
"I'm sorry to disappoint the fans, this was not an easy decision to make, but sadly I feel I have no other choice.
"Despite giving my all to the team over the past 6 years and supporting them my entire life, the leadership continue to release misinformation about me and my commitment to my country. Their actions have made it impossible for me to continue to be part of the team.
"I learned the news about the pre-selection at the same time as everyone else, so I'm releasing this statement to ensure that you hear the truth directly from me.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported me, I wish the team nothing but the best for the future.
"My focus as a player is at my club Chelsea FC."
Ziyech's retirement comes in the wake of a falling out with Moroccan head coach Vahid Halilhodzic.
The Bosnian criticised his work ethic and commitment to the team after his alleged tardiness at training.
Halilhodzic even went as far as to say that he would not be recalled "even if his name is Lionel Messi".
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