Ismael Saibari has a powerful message behind his choice of the number 34 shirt at Bayern Munich. The 25-year-old midfielder wears it as a tribute to his friend Abdelhak Nouri, as he explained to Spiegel Sport.
Saibari joined the German record champions this summer for a transfer fee reported to be 50 million euros from PSV Eindhoven. He made his Bundesliga debut on the opening matchday, providing two assists in a 5:1 home win against VfB Stuttgart. This performance highlights his immediate value to manager Vincent Kompany's squad, which is well positioned in the current league standings.
Why does Saibari wear the number 34?
The number 34 was the jersey worn by Abdelhak Nouri during his career at Ajax Amsterdam. Nouri, a major talent, suffered a cardiac arrest during a friendly match in the summer of 2017 at the age of 20. He survived but sustained lasting brain damage. Saibari let Nouri choose his number at Bayern. "I left the decision to him about which squad number I should wear at Bayern. He chose 34, so I took it," Saibari said.
The connection between the families goes back years. "The link to Abdelhak's family came through my advisor. He works with Abdelhak's brother," Saibari stated. "The relationship then grew more intense day by day, also between the families. We even go on holiday together."
How did Saibari's move to Bayern come about?
The Moroccan international developed into a key player in the Netherlands. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was part of the Moroccan squad that reached the quarter-finals, losing to France. His transfer to Bayern was facilitated by his advisor, who also works with Nouri's brother. Saibari is one of Bayern's most expensive signings of this transfer window and is intended to bolster the attacking department, as reflected in the current squad data.
What role does Saibari play in the current Bayern squad?
With his versatility in attacking midfield, Saibari offers manager Kompany several options. He can operate both centrally and on the wings. His two assists on the opening day immediately demonstrated his creativity and passing quality. His contract at Bayern Munich runs until the summer of 2030. Important fixtures are coming up in the next weeks, including Champions League matches, all listed on our fixtures page.
Saibari's next game for Bayern is the Bundesliga away match against 1. FC Köln on Saturday, September 12th, 2026.
