Bayern Munich delighted by Ismael Saibari’s Morocco display, says Hoeneß

Ismael Saibari made a strong impression on Bayern Munich during the 2026 World Cup, with honorary president Uli Hoeneß praising the Morocco international after his move to the German club.

Saibari joined Bayern Munich during the tournament after winning the Eredivisie Player of the Season award. His performances for Morocco reportedly convinced the club’s senior figures that he could make an immediate impact, and Hoeneß said the 25-year-old had impressed him personally.

The attacking player was used as a false nine by Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi during the World Cup, a role that helped Saibari attract attention from the Bayern hierarchy.

“He really impressed me with Morocco,” Hoeneß said in an interview with Abendzeitung, according to the report.

Saibari completed his move to Bayern the day after Morocco’s victory over the Netherlands in the last 16. The match finished 1-1 before Morocco prevailed 3-2 on penalties on 30 June, with Saibari scoring the decisive spot-kick that eliminated the Netherlands.

The forward had already made a significant contribution during the group stage. He scored against each of Morocco’s three opponents, finding the net in the 1-1 draw with Brazil, the 1-0 win over Scotland and the 4-2 victory against Haiti.

Those goals also helped him break several records during the tournament.

Morocco’s World Cup campaign therefore provided the backdrop to Saibari’s move to Bayern, where he has signed a contract running until 2031. He took part in his first training session with the club on Monday.

An account of the session said Saibari outperformed new team-mates Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies in sprint exercises. His acceleration and top speed were described as particularly notable, adding to the excitement around his arrival in Munich.

The Morocco international arrives after an impressive season with PSV Eindhoven. He scored 19 goals and supplied nine assists in 37 appearances for the Dutch club last season, form that helped him secure the Eredivisie’s leading individual award.

Bayern’s interest in Saibari was strengthened by his displays on the international stage, where he combined his goalscoring contribution with the flexibility to operate in an unfamiliar central attacking role.

His decisive penalty against the Netherlands was followed immediately by his transfer to the Bundesliga champions, giving the player a high-profile opportunity after his emergence in the Netherlands.

Hoeneß’s comments suggest Saibari has already made an impact within Bayern’s set-up before making his competitive debut for the club. His first training session also offered an early indication of the pace and explosiveness he can bring to the squad.

Bayern will now assess how best to use the 25-year-old, who has been deployed as an attacking player and as a false nine for Morocco. His long-term contract reflects the club’s confidence in a forward whose reputation grew rapidly during the World Cup.