Former Morocco star Mehdi Benatia backs Ismael Saibari to succeed at Bayern Munich

Former Moroccan international Mehdi Benatia has backed his compatriot Ismael Saibari to succeed at German giants Bayern Munich.

Benatia, who enjoyed a distinguished career with clubs such as Bayern Munich, Juventus and AS Roma, believes Saibari possesses all the qualities required to establish himself at the German giants following his move from PSV Eindhoven.

Speaking to Bayern Munich’s official website, the former Atlas Lions captain highlighted the remarkable progress Saibari has made in recent years, pointing to his development in the Netherlands as evidence of his immense potential.

The former defender revealed that he first noticed Saibari while the player was representing Morocco’s Under-21 national team. Even at that stage of his career, Saibari stood out because of his attacking instincts, technical quality and impressive ability to influence games in the final third.

Benatia recalled being particularly impressed by the youngster’s willingness to take on defenders and his knack for finding the back of the net, qualities that have since become key features of his game.

Since then, Saibari has continued to evolve into one of the most promising midfielders in European football.

His performances for PSV Eindhoven helped him establish himself as a regular starter and one of the Eredivisie’s standout players, ultimately earning him a high-profile transfer to Bayern Munich during the current summer transfer window.

Benatia believes PSV provided the perfect platform for the midfielder’s growth.

He explained that the Dutch club offered Saibari an environment where he could develop both tactically and technically while gaining valuable experience at a high level of competition.

The former Morocco international noted that Saibari used his time in Eindhoven to refine his game, improve his decision-making and showcase the full range of his abilities against strong domestic and European opposition.

One of the qualities Benatia admires most about Saibari is his versatility.

The midfielder is capable of operating in several positions across the pitch and adapting his responsibilities according to the needs of the team. Whether deployed as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, winger or in a deeper role, Saibari has consistently demonstrated an ability to perform effectively.

Benatia emphasized that the Bayern Munich star can alter his role multiple times during a match without losing his effectiveness, making him a valuable asset for any coach.

Such tactical flexibility, he believes, is one of the reasons Saibari has become so highly regarded and attracted interest from one of the biggest clubs in world football.

Benatia also highlighted the player’s unique blend of technical and physical attributes.

While acknowledging that Saibari may not be among the quickest players over long distances, the former defender stressed that the Moroccan international possesses an explosive first step that allows him to gain an advantage over opponents in tight spaces.

Combined with his close control, dribbling ability and confidence on the ball, that burst of acceleration makes him extremely difficult to defend against.

The former Bayern Munich defender further praised Saibari’s physical strength, noting that he can hold off challenges, protect possession and compete effectively in duels despite operating in advanced areas of the pitch.

According to Benatia, these qualities make the midfielder a complete modern player capable of thriving in the demanding environment of elite European football.

The Moroccan football legend believes Bayern Munich supporters will soon appreciate the qualities that have made Saibari one of the brightest talents to emerge from Morocco in recent years.

With his technical excellence, tactical intelligence, versatility and physical presence, Benatia is convinced that the 25-year-old has the tools necessary to make a significant impact in Germany.

As Saibari embarks on the next chapter of his career with Bayern Munich, Benatia’s endorsement serves as a strong vote of confidence in a player widely expected to play an important role for both club and country in the years ahead.

Having already established himself as a key figure for Morocco and earned recognition across Europe, Saibari now faces the challenge of proving himself at one of football’s most demanding clubs. If Benatia’s assessment is anything to go by, the midfielder is more than capable of meeting those expectations and becoming a major success at Bayern Munich.