Hakim Ziyech has been ranked amongst the best players at the Qatar World Cup by 2002 winner Roberto Carlos. The former Real Madrid fullback has joined a growing list of pundits praising the 29-year-old after Morocco's historic run to the semi-final.
The winger was one of the pre-tournament standout names for Walid Regragui's side but very few expected him to be part of the final four. The fourth-placed finish - after losing 2-1 to Croatia in the play-off for third - is the best for any African side ever.
Alongside fellow world star Achraf Hakimi who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, Ziyech Morocco knocked out Spain and Portugal before falling short to eventual runners-up France. Having gotten through a group with Belgium and Croatia as well, Morocco stamped their name on the tournament.
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For Ziyech this was a moment to prove to football lovers across the world how good he is, especially after a disappointing 18 months at Chelsea that has seen him rapidly slip down the pecking order. He was angling for a move away from the club over the summer and hasn't seen his fortunes change massively under Graham Potter either, with potential suitors piquing their interest once more.
To demonstrate just how impressive he was in Qatar, Carlos named Ziyech as the best winger in the tournament and ignored Lionel Messi's name. When asked for the standout goalkeeper, defender, fullback, midfielder, winger, forward and technical player, Carlos replied: "Livakovic, Otamendi, Alex Sandro, Tchouameni, Ziyech, Mbappe and Modric."
AC Milan are one of the teams reportedly interested in bringing in Ziyech in January, and Chelsea would be open to him leaving, but it may be a strange look to allow a player in such high esteem to leave so soon after being one of the best players at the World Cup.
Although Carlos' predictions came before Messi's Argentina won the final against France on Sunday afternoon, his omission of Messi was curious but nevertheless another feather in the cap for Ziyech, and a possible message to Chelsea ahead of the transfer window.
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