Morocco head coach Vahid Halilhodzic has told Hakim Ziyech that he would not receive a recall “even if his name is Lionel Messi”.
The Chelsea winger was left out of Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations squad due to his poor relationship with the nation’s boss.
Ziyech has not played for his country since June last year and has missed all six of Morocco’s World Cup qualifiers this season.
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After being left out of the squad for an international break in September, Halilhodzic said: “His behaviour in the last two matches, especially the last one, was not that of a national team player who as a leader in the team has to be a positive role model.
“He arrived late and after that he even refused to work. There was no point in discussing it afterwards, as a coach the answer is right there to see.
“For me, the national team is above everything, nobody can hold it hostage.”
Hakim Ziyech enjoying his break. pic.twitter.com/l2z51wMS3w
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) February 2, 2022
Morocco were knocked out in the quarter-finals of this year’s AFCON, and speaking after their exit, Halilhodzic doubled down on his decision to omit Ziyech from his squad.
“The players I have selected are the best in the country,” he said. “I don’t select a player who can unbalance the group.
“Not even if his name is Lionel Messi. Ziyech’s behaviour does not fit the selection.
“He doesn’t want to train, doesn’t want to play. He doesn’t take it seriously. I’m not going to beg him to come back.
“After the [AFCON] tournament three years ago, he was the most criticised. He was booed. You mustn’t forget that.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea have made an offer to take Real Madrid defender Eder Militao to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain.
The Sao Paulo academy product has started 29 matches in all competitions for Real Madrid this campaign, starting all but one La Liga fixture under Ancelotti.
However, Spanish publication Nacional claim Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez has apparently come across an ‘unexpected problem’ with ‘turncoat’ Militao threatening to leave unless the Spanish side pay him more money.
Militao ‘has held meetings to leave’ with Premier League side Chelsea making him a ‘firm offer’ to leave the Bernabeu with the futures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen still unresolved.