I wish Hakim Ziyech played for the Netherlands – Van der Vaart

Dutch legend Rafael van der Vaart has reignited discussion around dual-nationality players after singling out Hakim Ziyech as a player he would have loved to see represent the Netherlands national football team.

Speaking during an appearance on Studio Voetbal, and as reported by Voetbalzone, Van der Vaart praised Ziyech’s talent while reflecting on what he sees as a missed opportunity for Dutch football.

“I would have liked to see him with the Dutch national team,” he said, highlighting the former AFC Ajax playmaker’s creativity, vision, and ability to influence matches at the highest level.

Ziyech, who now plays a key role for the Morocco national football team, has been instrumental in Morocco’s rise on the international stage, including their historic performances in recent major tournaments. His decision to represent Morocco has long been seen as a major win for the country’s football project, attracting top talent with Moroccan roots from across Europe.

Van der Vaart’s comments, while complimentary toward Ziyech, also highlight the ongoing conversation in European football about player allegiance and the competition between national teams for dual-eligible talent.

For Morocco, players like Ziyech have become symbols of a growing football identity—one built on both homegrown talent and elite players developed abroad. For the Netherlands, however, remarks like Van der Vaart’s reflect lingering debate over players who chose a different international path.

In the end, his message was clear: while he respects the player, Ziyech is the kind of talent he believes could have strengthened the Dutch side—had circumstances been different.