Born on March 19, 1993, in Dronten, Netherlands, to Moroccan parents (his father is from Berrechid and his mother from Beni Boughafer), Hakim Ziyech’s football journey began in his hometown. Despite growing up in modest circumstances, with his father working as a taxi driver and his mother as a cleaner, Ziyech displayed remarkable talent in football from a young age. Fluent in Dutch and English, he started his football career in local clubs in Dronten before catching the attention of professional scouts.

Inspired by Moroccan football icons such as Mustapha Hadji and Noureddine Naybet, Ziyech’s technical prowess and creative flair on the field quickly became evident. He made his professional debut with Heerenveen in 2012, where he demonstrated his skills as a midfielder. Ziyech’s exceptional performances led to a move to FC Twente, where he continued to hone his abilities and emerged as a key player in the Eredivisie.