Hakim Ziyech

Hakim Ziyech is a Dutch-born Moroccan winger known for his left-footed craft and vision. Born in Dronten to a Riffian family, he chose Morocco over the Netherlands in 2015, a decision that shaped his international identity. After rising through Ajax to stardom, he became a key creative force for the Atlas Lions, playing a pivotal role in Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup run. His full story reveals much more.

Player Snapshot for Hakim Ziyech

Born on 19 March 1993 in Dronten, Netherlands, Hakim Ziyech built his career as a left-footed right winger, though his vision and passing range have long allowed him to operate as an attacking midfielder when needed. Representing Morocco since his senior debut on 9 October 2015, he remains an active international, with appearances logged through 2023 and beyond. He was part of the historic Moroccan squad that became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final at the 2022 tournament, a golden generation that also featured Sofiane Boufal as a creative attacking force. Standing 180 cm tall, the 33-year-old now plies his trade at Wydad AC in Botola Pro, wearing the number 30 shirt on a deal running until 30 June 2027.

About Hakim Ziyech

Beyond the snapshot of his current role at Wydad AC, Ziyech’s path to the top of Moroccan and European football began much earlier, in the Dutch academy system that shaped his technical foundation.

Born on 19 March 1993 in Dronten, Netherlands, he made his senior debut at Heerenveen in 2012 before moves to Twente and Ajax raised his profile. Like fellow countryman Achraf Hakimi, Ziyech has become one of the key figures helping drive Morocco’s rise on the international football stage.

A 2020 transfer took him to Chelsea, followed by spells at Galatasaray and Wydad.

Standing around 180 to 181 cm and left-footed, he plays as a right winger or attacking midfielder, earning the nickname “The Wizard” at Ajax for his creativity. This season with Wydad Casablanca, he has established himself as the club’s top scorer with 8 goals in Botola Pro play.

Dutch Roots, Moroccan Heart

A quiet town in Flevoland gave Hakim Ziyech his start, though his family’s story reached back much further, to Tafoughalt near Berkane in northeastern Morocco.

Born in Dronten in 1993, he grew up in a Moroccan-Riffian household with ties to the Aït Iznassen tribal confederation. That dual background gave him eligibility for both the Netherlands and Morocco at senior level. He is part of a broader pattern among Atlas Lions shaped by Morocco’s diaspora, many of whom developed their footballing skills abroad before representing their ancestral homeland.

He came up through Dutch youth football, representing the Under-19, Under-20, and Under-21 sides before choosing Morocco in 2015. Ziyech has described the decision as one made with his heart, reflecting a pull toward heritage over convenience. He went on to help Morocco reach the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

From Amsterdam to Ajax Stardom

In the summer of 2016, Ziyech left FC Twente for Ajax in a move worth around €11 million, signing a five-year contract that would define the next phase of his career.

He debuted on 11 September against Vitesse and scored his first goal ten days later in the KNVB Cup against Willem II.

Over four seasons, he grew into one of the Eredivisie’s sharpest creators, peaking in 2018–19 with 16 league goals and 13 assists. In 2017–18, despite Ajax missing out on European qualification, Ziyech was named Dutch Footballer of the Year.

That campaign brought the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup double, followed by the Dutch Super Cup in 2019–20, cementing his reputation before Chelsea came calling. While Ziyech was rising through Ajax’s ranks, fellow North African playmaker Younes Belhanda was establishing himself as a creative force for Morocco’s national team.

Switching Allegiance: Choosing Morocco

He explained that his sense of identity had always leaned toward his family’s roots, saying he had “always felt Moroccan” despite being born abroad. That declaration soon became reality on the pitch: his first senior appearance for Morocco came later that year, a friendly against Côte d’Ivoire played in Agadir. This same pull toward representing Morocco has also been felt by other Dutch-born talents, such as Munir El Kajoui, who similarly embraced his family’s heritage over the country of his birth. Years later, he would go on to earn 39 caps for his adopted nation, scoring 17 goals along the way.

The Creative Right-Wing Playmaker

Football often rewards players who bend the rules of their own position, and Ziyech is a clear example of that idea.

Though nominally a right winger, he rarely behaves like a traditional one. Left-footed, he starts wide and cuts inside onto his stronger foot, drifting into the right half-space to work as a creative hub rather than a touchline runner.

From there, he looks for through balls, switches of play, and crosses, while also testing goalkeepers with long-range shots. Set pieces add another layer to his game. This creative, hybrid approach echoes the style of fellow Moroccan international Amine Harit, who similarly thrives by drifting inside to influence play centrally.

The result is a hybrid role: part winger, part playmaker, always seeking central influence. His movement into these zones often draws opposing defenders out of position, creating space for overlapping full-backs and teammates to exploit.

Defining Strengths

Ziyech’s left foot does most of the talking. Starting from the right, he cuts inside and bends shots toward goal, a movement defenders still struggle to solve. His passing range extends the threat further, turning quiet possessions into sudden chances. This vision helped him finish as Eredivisie assists leader for four consecutive seasons. Morocco’s next generation carries a similar spark, with Eliesse Ben Seghir emerging as a rising creative talent for the Atlas Lions.

• Shooting: powerful strikes from distance or the edge of the box
• Passing: long diagonals and through balls that split defenses
• Crossing: precise deliveries from wide or half-space areas
• Set pieces: free kicks and corners handled with real craft

Add tidy dribbling in tight spaces, and the picture is clear: technical range built for creation, not just flair.

Defining Characteristics of Hakim Ziyech’s Game

Few wingers in the modern game rely on one foot as heavily as Hakim Ziyech does. His left foot shapes nearly everything he does, from bending shots into the far corner to whipping in crosses and set pieces.

Starting from the right, he cuts inside as an inverted winger, drifting into the half-space to open passing lanes and create room for his full-back to overlap. From there, he plays as a central creator, delivering through balls and diagonal passes with vision and precision. This inverted winger role echoes the emergence of another dynamic attacker, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who has brought similar flair to Morocco’s national team.

His close control and clever feints let him beat defenders in tight areas, adding a dribbling threat to his passing game. Statistically, he outperformed Willian in output during the 2018/19 season, recording 19 assists compared to Willian’s 13.

2018 World Cup Debut

That left foot and tactical intelligence had already made Ziyech one of Ajax’s most reliable creators by the time Morocco called on him for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Named in the final 23-man squad, he started all three group matches, marking his first World Cup appearance.

Morocco opened with a 0-1 loss to Iran, decided by a late own goal, then fell 0-1 to Portugal, ending their knockout hopes early. Ziyech and his teammates closed the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Spain. He played 265 minutes without scoring, but the experience marked a genuine senior debut on football’s biggest stage. Younger talents like Azzedine Ounahi would later emerge to carry that same Atlas Lions spirit forward on the international stage. By the 2022 World Cup, Ziyech had taken on a leadership role for Morocco, appearing as captain in their run through the tournament.

Role and Contribution to the Atlas Lions

Cutting in from the right flank, Hakim Ziyech gave Morocco a rare attacking weapon: a left-footed winger capable of opening up defenses with a single pass or strike. Since debuting in 2015, he has built a strong record with the national team, and his return under Walid Regragui restored him as a central creative figure. His emergence alongside younger talents such as Ismael Saibari has shown the depth of attacking options now available to the Atlas Lions.

At the 2022 World Cup, he assisted against Belgium and scored against Canada, helping Morocco top its group. Reporting has often called him a key player and creative leader, sometimes even captain, though injuries and disputes have made his involvement significant but inconsistent rather than constant. Against Belgium, he was named man of the match for his brilliant performance.

FAQs About Hakim Ziyech

Hakim Ziyech is best known as a right winger, though he has also featured as an attacking midfielder throughout his career.

He has represented several clubs, including Heerenveen, Twente, Ajax, Chelsea, Galatasaray, Al Duhail, and now Wydad AC.

On the international stage, Ziyech made his senior debut for Morocco after switching allegiance from the Netherlands, going on to represent the Atlas Lions at both the 2018 World Cup and multiple editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

What position is Hakim Ziyech known for?

A right-footed flank might seem the natural home for a winger, but Ziyech built his reputation doing the opposite. He is known primarily as a right winger, using his left foot to cut inside from that side rather than hug the touchline.

That inverted setup lets him drift into central pockets, where he threatens with shots, through balls, and crosses. Many profiles also list attacking midfielder as a secondary role, reflecting how often he operates centrally with vision and passing range.

The clearest description, then, is a right winger who doubles as an attacking midfielder, blending width with creative influence closer to goal.

Which clubs has Hakim Ziyech represented?

Across more than a decade of senior football, Ziyech’s club career has followed a clear upward arc before winding down abroad. He began at SC Heerenveen from 2012 to 2014, then moved to FC Twente, where his form improved sharply.

Ajax followed in 2016, and it was there that Ziyech became a genuine European talent, staying until 2020. Chelsea then brought him to the Premier League for four seasons.

His later career has taken him further afield, with spells at Galatasaray, a brief stint at Al-Duhail, and a 2025 move to Wydad AC, closing out a well-travelled career.

Has Hakim Ziyech made his Morocco senior debut?

Yes, the debut is confirmed. Hakim Ziyech first played for Morocco’s senior team on 9 October 2015, in a friendly against Ivory Coast that ended in a 1–0 defeat. Transfermarkt lists his age that day as 22 years, 6 months, and 20 days.

The appearance followed his May 2015 call-up for friendlies against the United States and Latvia, after which he confirmed his decision to represent Morocco rather than another eligible nation. He went on to make four appearances that year without scoring, before netting his first senior goal in May 2016.

Which major tournaments has Hakim Ziyech represented Morocco at?

The biggest stages have featured prominently in Ziyech’s Morocco career, with the FIFA World Cup standing as his most notable platform. He represented Morocco at the 2018 and 2022 editions, earning recognition as a two-time World Cup participant.

Ziyech has also featured at the Africa Cup of Nations, appearing in the 2019 and 2023 tournaments. Beyond the finals, his record includes qualification campaigns for both competitions, with World Cup qualifiers against sides like Tanzania and Zambia, and AFCON qualifiers against Central African Republic and South Africa.

Together, these appearances reflect a sustained presence across Morocco’s major FIFA and CAF competitions.

Has Hakim Ziyech played at the World Cup or AFCON?

Put simply, Ziyech has played at both tournaments. He represented Morocco at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, making ten appearances in total and scoring once, against Canada in 2022, during Morocco’s run to the semifinals.

On the continental stage, he featured for Morocco at AFCON 2019 and AFCON 2023, the latter cut short by an ankle injury in the group stage. His AFCON involvement hasn’t been continuous, though. He was left out of the 2022 squad amid reported friction with then-coach Vahid Halilhodžić, and again missed selection for 2025 due to form and fitness concerns.

What are Hakim Ziyech’s defining strengths as a footballer?

Few players in world football combine a devastating left foot with the vision to pick apart a defense in one motion, and that blend sits at the heart of Ziyech’s game.

He scores from distance, curls in free kicks, and threads defence-splitting passes that turn possession into chances. His crossing, whether from the byline or after drifting inside, remains among the most dangerous in Europe, complemented by reliable set-piece delivery on corners and dead balls.

Close control and composure under pressure let him dribble through tight spaces, while his tactical intelligence allows him to thrive as a winger, playmaker, or attacking midfielder alike.

What has Hakim Ziyech’s role been with the Atlas Lions?

Switching allegiance from the Netherlands to Morocco in 2015, Ziyech quickly became a fixture in the Atlas Lions setup, operating mainly from the right side and in advanced midfield zones.

He grew into the team’s primary creative outlet, often described as one of Morocco’s most inventive playmakers when fit. That reputation carried through the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, where he started every match in Qatar and contributed to the win over Belgium.

Beyond output, he earned recognition as a former captain and a senior figure in the squad. A 15-month absence ended when Walid Regragui recalled him, restoring his central role before later injuries limited it.

Ziyech’s Legacy in Morocco

In choosing Morocco over the Netherlands in 2015, Ziyech set the tone for a national-team story that would come to define much of his career. That decision became a symbol of dual-heritage pride, and his performances gave it lasting meaning.

The 2022 World Cup cemented his place in Moroccan football history, as his goal against Canada and man-of-the-match display against Belgium helped drive the country’s run to the semi-finals. Fans embraced him as a national icon, a reflection of how elite diaspora talent could strengthen Morocco’s ambitions. Despite later friction with the federation, his legacy as a catalyst for Moroccan football remains secure.