Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Morocco's World Cup standout Ismael Saibari from Dutch champion PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of $63 million. The 25-year-old attacking midfielder signed a contract through June 2031 and will wear the No. 34 jersey at the Bavarian powerhouse, the club announced Wednesday.
Saibari's Tribute to Friend Abdelhak Nouri
Saibari chose the number 34 in tribute to his friend Abdelhak Nouri, who collapsed on the field during a friendly match between Ajax and Werder Bremen in July 2017. “He survived but hasn’t been able to move unaided since then,” Saibari told Bayern’s website. “I’m supporting him by wearing the 34, it was his last number.”
World Cup Performance and Impact
Saibari has scored three goals in four games for Morocco at the World Cup, helping the Atlas Lions reach the Round of 16 for a date with Canada on Saturday. His shootout winner was the difference against the Netherlands on Monday. The Spain-born midfielder will add depth to Bayern coach Vincent Kompany’s already formidable options in attack and can combine with the likes of Michael Olize, Luis Díaz, and Jamal Musiala behind first-choice striker Harry Kane.
Club Success and Controversy
Saibari helped Eindhoven win the Dutch title three seasons running and was voted the league’s player of the year last season. He wasn’t in Morocco’s squad for their run to the World Cup semifinals in 2022 but did feature for the team that was controversially awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title two months after Morocco lost a chaotic final to Senegal in January. Senegal have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Saibari was among the players involved in tussles during that final when he assisted ball kids trying to prevent Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from drying his gloves by snatching away his towel. He was initially suspended three games and fined $100,000 for his part in that incident but served only a one-game suspension after an appeal.
