Hakeem Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat: Talented Moroccan Players

Paul | November 30, 2023 | Morocco, Sports | No Comments

Hakim Ziyech (Arabic: حكيم زياش; Berber languages: ⵃⴰⴽⵉⵎ ⵣⵉⵢⴰⵛ; Dutch pronunciation: [haˈkim ziˈjɛ, born 19 March 1993) is a professional footballer specializing as a right winger for Süper Lig club Galatasaray, currently on loan from the Premier League club Chelsea, and he also represents the Morocco national team. His moniker, “The Wizard,” was bestowed upon him by supporters of his former club, Ajax.

Ziyech initiated his professional career with the Dutch club Heeren

Ziyech is known for his finishing, dribbling, long passes, technique, and ability from free kicks. In 2019, he was selected as one of the 10 best players in the UEFA Champions League for the 2018–19 season. At the end of the same year, he was ranked 29th in The Guardian’s list of “The 100 best footballers in the world”. Beginning in 2015 when Ziyech joined the national team, he has donated all attained earnings and bonuses from international play to various charities or to the staff of the team.

This attacking midfielder, predominantly skilled with his left foot, gained attention for his standout performances while cutting in from the right wing at Ajax. However, he possesses the versatility to function as a conventional winger on the left or to operate through the middle behind a striker.

Born in the Netherlands, Ziyech initiated his professional career in the Eredivisie with Heerenveen. He made his senior debut in August 2012, gradually establishing himself as a regular in the first team in the subsequent season.

His true potential as a world-class talent came to the forefront after his move to Twente in 2014. During his two-year tenure with the club, Ziyech showcased remarkable prowess, recording impressive statistics. In his first campaign, he scored 15 goals and provided 17 assists, followed by an even more impressive second season with 17 league goals.

These stellar performances attracted the attention of Ajax, leading to Ziyech’s transfer to Amsterdam. In his inaugural season with Ajax, he played a pivotal role in propelling the young squad to the Europa League final. The subsequent season saw Ajax’s extraordinary journey to the Champions League semi-finals, with Ziyech contributing significantly, including scoring his first goals in the competition during their victory over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. The 2018/19 season marked a milestone in Ziyech’s career as he clinched the first silverware, securing the Dutch league and cup double with Ajax.

In the summer of 2018, Ziyech had the opportunity to showcase his skills on the global stage, starting in each of Morocco’s group-stage matches at the World Cup in Russia. Despite facing strong opponents in a challenging group that included Spain and Portugal, Morocco received acclaim for their attacking style of play, with Ziyech playing a central role in their performances.

Continuing his international representation, he went on to participate in the African Cup of Nations in Egypt the following year.

ACHRAF HAKIMI : A Talented Moroccan Defender and all the controversy surrounding him

Born to Moroccan parents in Madrid, Hakimi experienced a rich blend of cultures and languages during his upbringing. This diverse background may have played a significant role in his seamless transition when he joined Borussia Dortmund on loan from Real Madrid in 2018.

However, Hakimi’s journey to success was anything but straightforward. It began when his parents, originally from a Moroccan village near Casablanca, relocated to Getafe, the industrial district of Madrid, in pursuit of a better life. Hakimi acknowledges the challenges his parents faced, coming from areas with limited employment opportunities, and expresses deep admiration for their resilience. “They came from areas where there is hardly any work. They had to fight enormously hard. I have no words to describe my parents,” he reflects.

Despite his mother’s efforts to introduce him to judo or swimming during his youth, Hakimi was determined that his path would be in football. His footballing journey commenced at CD Colonia Ofigevi.

In 2006, at the tender age of seven, Hakimi’s life took a transformative turn when he received a trial invitation from Real Madrid through a letter in the mail. Initially skeptical, he recalled, “I honestly thought that it was a lie and that my father was pulling my leg.” However, it turned out to be a genuine opportunity. The formal invitation aimed to assess Hakimi’s skills against the city’s most talented players. Seizing the moment, he impressed the club and secured a contract. Hakimi made his professional debut for Real Madrid in October 2017 at the age of just 18.

Hakimi’s debut in the professional game was not just any debut—it was orchestrated by none other than football legend Zinedine Zidane, who was the head coach of Real Madrid at the time. Expressing his gratitude, Hakimi remarked, “I’m grateful to him for his faith in me and the way he has treated me. I’ll always be grateful to him.”

Adding a special touch to this connection is Hakimi’s close friendship with Zidane’s son, Luca. The two shared the field in Real’s youth academy, progressing through every age group together since Hakimi joined at a young age. Reflecting on their camaraderie, Hakimi shared with BVB’s YouTube channel, “I get on really well with Luca because we’ve played together since we were seven or eight years old.”

Following his debut, Hakimi went on to make eight more first-team appearances in La Liga during the 2017/18 season, starting six of them. He also participated in two UEFA Champions League matches, completing the full 90 minutes in each. As a full Morocco international, he made his debut in October 2016 and played in all three of the Atlas Lions’ games during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where they exited at the group stage.

Impressive as the numbers were for an inexperienced teenager breaking into a team that was the reigning European champions at the time, Hakimi recognized the importance of regular game time to solidify his professional career.

Choosing Borussia Dortmund for this purpose proved to be a strategic move. Widely acknowledged across Europe for their fearless commitment to fielding talented players, regardless of age, Dortmund provided Hakimi with the ideal environment. In July 2018, he entered into a two-year loan agreement with BVB, becoming part of a squad brimming with youthful vigor, alongside players like Christian Pulisic, Jadon Sancho, and Alexander Isak.

Former Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc expressed his confidence in Hakimi, stating, “Achraf is a young, very dynamic full-back who has already played at the highest level for Real Madrid and Morocco.”

Hakimi wasted no time showcasing his dynamism. At just 19 years old, he made a significant impact by scoring in his Bundesliga debut during a 7-0 victory over Nuremberg. Following this impressive start, he continued to contribute with assists in the subsequent games against Bayer Leverkusen and Augsburg.

I must clarify that my training data only includes information up until January 2022, and I do not have real-time updates. As of my last knowledge update, there was no information or news about Achraf Hakimi facing charges of rape or any investigations. It’s essential to check the latest and most reliable news sources for the current status of the situation, as circumstances may have changed since my last update. If these events are true, it would be a significant and serious development in Hakimi’s personal life.

Hakimi is currently 24 while his Tunisian wife is 36.

The sizeable difference in their ages is understood to be one of the reasons behind her decision to divorce the PSG wingback.

SOFYAN AMRABAT : A Talented Moroccan Player and Manchester United Player

Sofyan Amrabat (Arabic: سفيان أمرابط; born 21 August 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United, on loan from Serie A club Fiorentina. Born in the Netherlands, he plays for the Morocco national team. Amrabat is a graduate of Utrecht’s youth system. He made his first-team debut for the club in November 2014, and went on to make 54 appearances for them in total, before being signed by Feyenoord in 2017.

One year later, he joined Belgian team Club Brugge, who loaned him to Italian club Hellas Verona in August 2019. Hellas Verona purchased him and immediately sold him to Fiorentina in January 2020. He joined Manchester United on loan in September 2023. Amrabat played youth international football for both the Netherlands and Morocco. He made his senior international debut for Morocco in March 2017, and has represented the country at two FIFA World Cups.

I appreciate the update. If Sofyan Amrabat has indeed joined Manchester United on loan from Fiorentina as of September 2023, it marks a significant development in his career. This move provides him with a new opportunity to contribute to a prominent Premier League club.

It’s worth noting that my training data only includes information up until January 2022, and I don’t have real-time updates. For the latest and most accurate information on Sofyan Amrabat’s current status and transfers, I recommend checking official club announcements, reputable sports news outlets, or the official website of Manchester United for the most recent details.