Ismael Saibari has joined Bayern Munich’s first-team training after recovering from a muscle injury suffered while representing Morocco at the World Cup, marking the start of his new chapter at the German club.
The 25-year-old moved to Bayern Munich from PSV Eindhoven two weeks ago but was unable to take part in collective sessions at the beginning of his time in Bavaria. He had been working individually before returning to full training with his new team this week.
Speaking at his official presentation on Friday, Saibari said he had already settled into the squad.
“My team-mates welcomed me warmly, and everyone has been kind to me, including the coaching staff. I have recovered well and I am now fully integrated into the team’s training,” he said.
Saibari attracted significant attention during Morocco’s World Cup campaign, but Bayern Munich’s decision to sign him was not based solely on his performances at the tournament. The club had been monitoring him for some time before making its move.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said the club had been aware of Saibari’s qualities before the World Cup, but a meeting between Bayern and PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League played a decisive role in confirming their interest.
“We had known Ismael for some time, but the knockout blow that convinced us he was the right player for Bayern Munich came in the match against PSV Eindhoven,” Eberl said.
Saibari scored PSV Eindhoven’s goal in their 2-1 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich in January. His contribution went beyond finding the net, however, as his overall performance left a strong impression on the German club’s officials.
“With his style, his physical strength, his commanding presence, his speed and his versatility, he caused us a lot of problems. He has exceptional talent,” Eberl added.
Bayern continued to follow Saibari’s progress closely before deciding to pursue the transfer, with the club seeking to strengthen its attacking options.
“We followed the situation closely and, at a certain point, it became clear that we wanted to improve our attacking options. Ismael was one of our leading candidates and, thankfully, everything worked out well,” said Eberl.
The sporting director also said the arrivals of Saibari and Nathaniel Brown reflected Bayern’s desire to recruit players capable of operating in more than one position.
“Our aim is to focus on flexibility and choose players who can play in different positions and add a new dimension to our style of football, something we perhaps lacked last season,” Eberl said.
Saibari said he had felt comfortable with the idea of joining Bayern Munich from the outset and believed the club offered the ideal environment for his development.
“Bayern Munich are one of the biggest clubs in the world. They gave me the confidence that I can develop here as both a player and a person,” the Morocco international said.
He also praised the approach taken by Bayern under Belgian manager Vincent Kompany, saying the team’s style suited his own abilities and ambitions.
“They play with a lot of movement and high intensity. I experienced that myself in matches last season. They play great football, it is always exciting and they are always looking for chances to score. That is what I really like,” Saibari said.
During his presentation, Saibari spoke about the major influence of his parents on his life and career. He revealed that he had suffered problems with both feet from birth.
“I had problems with my feet when I was born. My parents made many sacrifices so that I could walk properly and live a normal life. I am extremely grateful to them. I am also a committed Muslim, I believe in God, and I believe this was part of his plan,” he said.
Saibari speaks English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Dutch. He is now aiming to learn German as quickly as possible while seeking to make a significant impact during his new spell with Bayern Munich.
