Morocco sweat over Ismael Saibari’s four-month layoff after ankle surgery

Moroccan international Ismael Saibari is expected to miss three to four months of action after undergoing successful ankle surgery, dealing a significant blow to Bayern Munich and Morocco.

Bayern Munich board member for sport Max Eberl confirmed the expected recovery period on Monday, revealing that the 25-year-old midfielder would face an extended spell on the sidelines.

Saibari suffered the injury during Saturday’s 2-2 Bundesliga draw against Borussia Dortmund, forcing him off in the 29th minute following a collision with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Bayern confirm lengthy recovery for Saibari

Speaking to reporters ahead of Bayern’s Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid, Eberl provided an update on the Moroccan’s condition after his operation.

“The operation went well yesterday. He was already at lunch today, which completely surprised me,” Eberl said, according to German newspaper BILD.

The Bayern executive also recalled a lighthearted exchange with Saibari about how long he expected to remain out of action.

Eberl revealed that he had asked the midfielder whether he would need two or three weeks to recover, prompting the Moroccan to jokingly respond, “Two and a half.”

However, the actual recovery process is expected to take considerably longer.

“It will probably be three to four months,” Eberl explained.

Bayern confirmed on Sunday that Saibari had suffered a tear of the syndesmotic ligament in his right ankle and undergone successful surgery.

The club initially did not provide a specific timeframe for his return.

Injury interrupts Saibari’s first Bayern season

The injury represents a setback for Saibari during his first campaign with the German giants following his summer move from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven.

The Moroccan midfielder joined Bayern in July, signing a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until June 2031.

Following the operation, Saibari shared a photograph from his hospital bed on Instagram, reassuring supporters that the procedure had been successful and expressing his determination to begin rehabilitation.

His recovery is now expected to keep him away from competitive football until February or March 2027, depending on his rehabilitation progress.

Morocco lose key midfielder for AFCON qualifiers

Saibari’s absence is also a setback for Morocco as the Atlas Lions prepare for their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger.

Morocco are scheduled to face Niger on November 13 in Casablanca before meeting the same opponents again on November 17 in Rabat.

The expected recovery period rules Saibari out of both encounters, leaving national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi without one of his midfield options.

Ouahbi is scheduled to announce his squad on November 4 as Morocco prepare for the two qualifying fixtures.

The Moroccan international will now focus on his rehabilitation, with his return to action dependent on how well he progresses during the coming months.