Bayern Munich star Ismael Saibari reveals emotional shirt tribute to Abdelhak Nouri

New FC Bayern Munich signing Ismael Saibari has made an emotional personal statement following his arrival in Germany, revealing that his shirt number choice carries a deeply symbolic meaning tied to former teammate Abdelhak Nouri.

The Moroccan forward, who recently completed a high-profile move to Bayern in a deal reported to be worth around €50 million including add-ons, has selected the number 34 as a tribute to the ex-AFC Ajax midfielder whose career was tragically cut short.

Saibari’s decision has drawn attention across European football, not for the transfer fee or expectations on the pitch, but for the emotional weight behind the number on his back.

Honouring a career cut short

The tribute is dedicated to Abdelhak Nouri, once regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Dutch football. Nouri collapsed during a pre-season friendly in July 2017 against Werder Bremen, suffering a cardiac arrhythmia that led to severe and permanent brain damage.

Now 29, Nouri’s condition remains a painful reminder of a career that never reached its potential. His former club later acknowledged the severity of the situation, providing financial support to his family, covering medical expenses, and retiring his iconic number 34 shirt in his honour.

For Saibari, the connection goes beyond admiration. It is rooted in personal memory and friendship, something he made clear when explaining his decision.

“I’m supporting him by wearing 34”

Speaking on Bayern’s official channels, Saibari described the emotional reasoning behind the gesture, reflecting on Nouri’s condition and the impact it had on those close to him.

“He survived but hasn’t been able to move unaided since then,” Saibari said.

“I’m supporting him by wearing the 34, it was his last number.”

The choice transforms what is usually a routine squad detail into a public act of remembrance, linking Saibari’s new chapter in Germany with one of football’s most poignant stories of recent years.

More than a number in Munich

At Bayern Munich, expectations on new signings are always high, but Saibari’s arrival is already being defined by something beyond goals and assists. His tribute has added a human dimension to a transfer that otherwise would have been measured purely in sporting and financial terms.