Chelsea forward, Hakim Ziyech has announced his retirement from the Moroccan national team.

Ziyech, aged 28, has endured a strained relationship with national team boss, Vahid Halilhodzic which saw the winger missing out on a place in Morocco's squad for the just-ended Africa Cup of Nation tournament. The Atlas Lions were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

Ziyech has not featured for the side since June 2021 and Halilhodzic recently made it public he has no intentions of recalling the forward to the team for their World Cup Qualifying playoff versus Congo.

Ziyech, part of Chelsea's squad for their Club World Cup campaign declared his decision to quit the national team.

"I understand them [the fans], but I will not return to the national team. That is my final decision. I am focusing on what I am doing with my club. It was a decision he [Halilhodzic] made and you have to respect it. But then if all the lying comes with it, for me it is clear and I will not return to the national team. I feel sorry for (the fans), but that’s the situation right now." he said in an interview with Abu Dhabi Sports.

Ziyech represented The Netherlands at youth level before making his Moroccan national team debut in 2018. He was capped 40 times for the Atlas Lions and scored 17 goals.