We must admit: when Bayern select a player, perhaps with rare exceptions, it is because he belongs to his class and is ready for a very high level. After this World Cup, Ismael Saibary will leave PSV Eindhoven to join Bayern Munich and Vincent Kompany to really start his career at a very high level at the age of 25.
We could almost say “finally” as the Moroccan player’s talent has been unleashed for a long time, especially in Morocco. But at European level he may still have been overshadowed by the Eredivisie in the Netherlands. “He was named the best player in the Eredivisie this season, and that means something.– notes Issame Charai, his former coach of the Moroccan U23 national team. He has already confirmed that this is not just talent. It was what we expected: such consistency over several matches. That’s what he did. And he continues this with the national team.“
From the Netherlands, whom he will face the next evening against the Atlas Lions due to the huge shock of this World Cup round of 16. Many PSV Eindhoven fans must already regret his departure to Bayern for almost 60 million euros, if in addition Saibari knocks out Oranje, it could do a lot.
Because Saibari will be the number one danger for the Netherlands. In the first round of Group C, where Mohamed Ouahby’s men scored seven points against Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, Saibari scored in every match. Never before has any African player achieved such a feat in the history of the World Cup. Ranked ninth, much higher than at the club where he plays as a central player, he fully lived up to expectations and once again demonstrated his abilities in terms of extreme versatility in the game.
“He is neither a pure nine, nor a pure striker, nor a pure number 10. Charai smiles at this versatility… He’s an exceptional player. Three matches, three goals, this is great! He plays his role as the false nine very well. With the Moroccan U23 national team, he could already play like this, a little on the right flank, but he fit strongly into the axis. He is an exceptional player, but he is not always used correctly. The best part is that he has a little more offensive freedom and can move all over the place. There are players around him who are adapting.“
A terrible diagnosis from the medical profession
We dare to imagine how motivated Saibari will be for this match against the Netherlands, with all the personal symbolism that surrounds him. Because it was in the Netherlands that he completed his training when PSV brought him in 2020. Where since then he knows everything with the legendary Eindhoven club: three league titles, two national cups and three super cups, the title of MVP of the championship this season, extensive experience in the Champions League (24 matches, 7 goals)… And all this with Peter Bosch, former OL coach, as one of the elements of his success.
The PSV coach always counted on him and did not give him gifts. Example: last year, Saibari disappeared from the protocol of the return match of the 1/8 finals of the Champions League against Arsenal. Bosh admitted that his player periodically had problems with delays and, therefore, with sanctions. “He’s late againPestait Bosch. Not the first time and not even the fifth. At some point this has to stop.“
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Video credit: Eurosport
Six years at PSV shaped him and finally changed his destiny, which was far from predetermined. Ismael Saibari, born in Terrassa, Spain, north of Barcelona, was diagnosed with a congenital defect. With a terrible consequence: the inability to stand on two legs without assistance. To such an extent that doctors explained to his parents that he might never walk in his life. It took time, care and patience, but little Saibari became independent. And football is his daily life:”It was very rare to see him without the ball.– a former neighbor in Spain said on the FIFA website. He did not leave himself all day, neither in the field, nor on the street, nor in the park at the foot of his house. He ran after the ball like crazy.“
A lot of people thought it was too big.”
Belgium becomes the family’s adopted country when young Saibari turns six. The parents decided to leave Southern Europe in the face of the economic crisis that was sweeping the country. In Willebruck, between Antwerp and Brussels, Saibary joined the bankrupt Beerschot team and then the prestigious Anderlecht. But Mauve was shown the door just two years later. Definitely. Cause? “Before the start of the championship they tell me that I can leave– he told Nieuwsblad. They thought I was too fat.“No more successes in Mechelen, then in Genk… This means there were a lot of pitfalls.”Many people thought it was too big.– Charai noted. But that’s his body shape. His body is very muscular.“
And what about his international destiny? With his rich personal history, he could lay claim to Spain or Belgium. But it was Morocco that had its advantages from the very beginning, knowing many Moroccan teams among the youth. And when Walid Regragui calls him up for the A’s in September 2023, he has no doubts, despite Roberto Martinez’s attempts to see him in the Red Devils’ squad. “From the very beginning he made it clear that he wanted to play for Morocco.emphasizes Issame Charai. There were no “I don’t know yet…” debates. No, it was intended for Morocco.“
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Video credit: Eurosport
Saibari was Charai’s mainstay in winning the CAN U23 in 2023: “I have great memories of this– he continues. He was the only player I saw face to face before the competition. We agreed to meet in Antwerp, Belgium. We talked. I told him that he had a leadership role to play in this CAN. And he really was. He speaks several languages, so he can communicate with everyone in the group. He is very stable and you can really trust him. He pushed the team. He was very effective. The next step was to become the first team. So that’s nice.“
CAN final and mehndi towel
Gradually Walid Regragui brought him into the top five and he became the undisputed starter at the last Africa Cup of Nations. Saibari even scored a goal in the 2-0 quarter-final, eliminating Cameroon. Before that famous final against Senegal, where Saibary was directly involved in the Edouard Mendy towel affair, and before those unflattering images of him trying to snatch the towel from the Teranga Lions goalkeeper. He apologized and was even fined $100,000 before CAF lifted the sanctions. Believe that this incredible and unbelievable ending drove everyone crazy.
“Many had a bad idea of his characterabonde Charai. The truth is that he is a great guy, always cheerful, hard working… I have only seen good things about him. He is the one everyone loves. He doesn’t have a big head, he’s very modest and hardworking.“Now it’s his turn to fly:”He showed that now is the time he concludes. He was called the best player in the Netherlands, he scored three times at the World Cup and was decisive. At PSV, with all due respect, he shows a higher level. The next step is right now!“
Ismael Saibari in the CAN final
Photo: Getty Images