World Cup: Morocco's Ismael Saibari signs for Bayern Munich
Three nationalities, five languages and soon to be resident in a fourth country: Ismael Saibari, the star of Morocco's World Cup so far, has signed
Three nationalities, five languages and soon to be resident in a fourth country: Ismael Saibari, the star of Morocco's World Cup so far, has signed for Bayern Munich. But he has business to finish with the Atlas Lions. Scotland head coach Steve Clarke knew exactly what to expect from Ismael Saibari. "He's fast, he's powerful and he showed against Brazil that he knows how to take chances," Clarke told reporters ahead of the World Cup Group C meeting between Scotland and Morocco in Boston last week. A week earlier, Saibari had put Morocco, the Atlas Lions, ahead against Brazil with a brilliant chip over goalkeeper, Alisson Becker. Scotland were warned but it didn't make any difference as, less than two minutes into the game, Saibari again raced clear of the defense and fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. A few days later, Saibari was on the score sheet again when he stroked Achraf Hakimi'scutback into the net against Haiti. It was his 12th goal for Morocco in his 33nd international appearance, and it made him the first African player to score in all three group stage games at a World Cup. Ismael Saibari: From Eindhoven to Munich In the round of 32 on Monday night, Saibari scored the winning penalty in a shootout against the Netherlands, a country with which he has an intimate relationship, having scored 42 goals in 142 appearances for PSV Eindhoven since 2020. Last season, he was voted player of the season in the Dutch top-flight, the Eredivisie, after scoring 15 league goals as PSV won a 27th league title. He also scored three goals in last season's Champions League, including a long-range strike against Bayern Munich in January. PSV would go on to lose 1-2, but Saibari had caught the attention of Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany who, according to German newspaper SportBild, immediately made contact with the player. Sports Life - Football Powerhouse Morrocco To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A few months later and the German champions have reportedly already agreed to pay PSV up to €55 million ($62.85 million) for the 25-year-old, beating off interest from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
Saibari is set to undergo a medical while still at the World Cup, where is he demonstrating his abilities to a global audience — but who is Saibari the person? Saibari: Three nationalities, five languages Born in Terrassa, near Barcelona, Spain, to Moroccan parents, the young Ismael moved to Belgium aged 6 as his mum and dad looked to start anew following the 2007 financial crash. It was in Willebroek, in between Brussels and Antwerp, that the young footballer learned Flemish, French and English in addition to Arabic and Spanish, and obtained Belgian citizenship in addition to that of Morocco and Spain. The regular changes of scenery have made Saibari an important cultural and linguistic conduit in the dressing rooms of the various clubs he has played for. "I've moved around a lot in my life, so I know how hard it is to adapt to new surroundings," he told Dutch football magazine Voetbal International. "So, if I can help, I try to. I have the experience and I speak a lot of languages. I often function as an interpreter in meetings because I can speak to the younger players in their mother tongue." Bayern coach Vincent Kompany has long been a fan of Saibari Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/IMAGO "He is very sociable – sometimes too sociable," said PSV head coach Peter Bosz. "Even when he should be relaxing, he's visiting friends. Because he's just very friendly." Morocco: Saibari's 'choice from the heart' Before joining PSV Eindhoven in 2020, he represented several Belgian clubs at youth level including Anderlecht and Genk. However, despite an approach from former Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez to play for the Red Devils in 2022, there was only ever one choice for Saibari internationally. "When such a big name in football contacts you, it was incredible," he told Dutch newspaper Eindhovens Dagsblad. "But I let him know that I was choosing Morocco. When it comes to the national team, I had to make a choice from the heart rather than a sporting decision." Saibari made his debut for the Atlas Lions in September 2023 in a friendly against Burkina Faso and scored his first goals a year later in Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho.
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