Who is Ismael Saibari?

Ismael Saibari: From Terrassa to Turf Hero

Ismael Saibari Ben El Basra was born on 28 January 2001 in Terrassa, Spain, a city with a deep football heritage in the province of Barcelona. Though his birthplace places him among the many Spanish footballers born in Catalonia, Saibari’s story is rooted in a cross-cultural journey—one that saw him develop his identity across Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands while embracing his Moroccan heritage through football.

At 1.85 m tall and blessed with a blend of physical strength and technical finesse, Saibari represents the evolution of the modern attacking midfielder/winger: creative, direct, and adaptable. His right foot serves as both a dagger in front of goal and a compass in tight spaces, enabling him to orchestrate play and finish with clinical efficiency.

Early Life and Youth Development

Saibari’s youth career was nomadic yet rich in developmental diversity. Beginning at local club Santa Terrassa CD, he moved through a series of academies in Belgium including KVC Willebroek-M and K Beerschot VA, before progressing to elite Belgian sides like RSC Anderlecht and K.V. Mechelen. He completed his longest youth stint at Genk from 2017 to 2020—a period crucial to his technical and tactical maturation.

In the summer of 2020, PSV Eindhoven brought him into their system, initially assigning him to Jong PSV, the club’s reserve team playing in the Eerste Divisie. Across three seasons, he notched 55 appearances and 9 goals for Jong PSV, laying the groundwork for his eventual first-team breakthrough.

Rise at PSV Eindhoven

Saibari made his senior PSV debut on 1 November 2020 in a dominant 4–0 league victory over ADO Den Haag, marking the start of what would become a steadily ascending senior career. Initially featuring sporadically, he gradually carved out a significant role under coaches like Ruud van Nistelrooij and Peter Bosz, becoming a favorite of the Eindhoven faithful.

Breaking Through (2022–2023)

After years in the youth and reserve ranks, Saibari was fully integrated into PSV’s first-team squad during the 2022–23 season. Though he wasn’t yet a guaranteed starter, his technical quality and tactical versatility—able to play as a midfielder, attacking midfielder, or on the wing—began to shine through.

Domestic Success and Statistical Growth (2023–2025)

2023–24: Establishing Ground

In the 2023-24 Eredivisie season, Saibari’s involvement increased significantly. He made 31 league appearances and scored 8 goals, contributing meaningfully to PSV’s campaign, which culminated in them lifting the Eredivisie title. This was a breakthrough in terms of consistent playing time and visible impact.

2024–25: Breakout Performer

The next season saw Saibari evolve from promising talent to indispensable piece. Over all competitions in 2024-25, he featured in 44 matches, scoring 15 goals and providing 13 assists—numbers that reflect both his goalscoring and creative maturation. These performances helped PSV defend their domestic championship in the Eredivisie and secure further silverware such as the Johan Cruyff Shield.

This level of production also saw him recognized within the league: he was named in the Eredivisie Team of the Month in both November 2024 and April 2025, reflecting sustained excellence in key periods.

2025–26: Exceptional Campaign and Statistical Apex

The 2025–26 season has been arguably Saibari’s most compelling yet. Statistical tracking places him among the better performers in the Eredivisie, with an average rating that puts him inside the top tier of the league’s forwards and creators. As of mid-season:

16 Eredivisie matches: 9 goals and 4 assists
Hat-trick hero: A standout moment was his first career hat-trick in a 3–2 away win at Feyenoord on 26 October 2025, a match watched closely by scouts and pundits alike.
Across all competitions in 2025–26, he has 14 goals and 4 assists in 29 total appearances with extremely strong underlying metrics.

Analysts have noted that earlier in the season Saibari’s shooting was uncharacteristically inefficient, but a recent run of form saw his conversion rate skyrocket, making him one of the most productive attacking players in the Dutch top flight.

Style of Play & Technical Profile

Saibari is a dynamic offensive player capable of operating across multiple attacking roles. His strengths include:

Direct dribbling that destabilizes defenses and creates space
Sharp vision and key passes, contributing to a high assist tally
Balanced physicality, allowing him to hold off defenders
Goal threat from midfield, reflected in his high non-penalty expected goals numbers and real goalscoring return

These traits make him appealing not only as a creator but as a primary attacking outlet.

PSV head coach Peter Bosz has spoken highly of Saibari’s character and mentality, noting that he engages well with teammates and brings a positive, social presence to training and matches. Though sometimes described as “socially generous,” Bosz considers him a special individual whose attitude enhances the squad environment.

International Choice – Morocco Over Spain or Belgium

Despite eligibility to represent Spain and Belgium, Saibari chose to play for Morocco, a decision rooted in personal pride and cultural affinity. In interviews, he has spoken about his family’s Moroccan heritage and how representing Morocco connects him to his roots.

National Team Career

His international journey began with the Morocco U20 and U23 teams, where he earned multiple caps and goals. A standout moment came at the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, where Morocco clinched the title, and Saibari featured prominently.

He progressed to the Morocco senior team in 2023, debuting in a World Cup qualifier and since becoming a regular selection. By late 2025 and early 2026, he had accumulated over 25 senior caps with multiple goals, contributing to Morocco’s campaigns across World Cup qualification and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

AFCON 2025 Final & Emotional Return

In early 2026, Saibari experienced the profound highs and lows of international football—Morocco reached the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, only to fall short in a dramatic finish. The defeat was emotionally significant for him, with Saibari later describing it as one of the most intense emotional experiences of his life.

Off-Field Moments & Public Perception

While Saibari’s on-pitch evolution has been broadly positive, 2025 saw some off-field narratives swirl around him. In January 2026, during AFCON, an incident involving what some media described as “controversial conduct with towels”—meant as a show of sportsmanship or gamesmanship—drew social media reactions and debate about professional conduct in high-pressure moments. He publicly apologized, a move that drew both criticism and respect for taking responsibility.

Transfer Interest & Future Prospects

As of January 2026, football pundits and scouts widely predict that Saibari’s stock has risen beyond the Eredivisie. Several voices in Dutch football media have suggested that if he continues his development and consistency, he could be worth €50 million or more—placing him firmly on the radar of major clubs in Europe’s top leagues.

Recent commentary from football analysts places him as a target for clubs beyond the Netherlands, with speculation about moves to England’s Premier League or other elite European competitions if PSV opts to sell.

Legacy & Personal Growth

At 25 years old in 2026, Saibari stands at a crossroads—already beloved by PSV fans, increasingly respected across Europe, and a symbol of Moroccan football development. His trajectory reflects not just the numerical growth of goals and assists, but the evolution of a player confident in his skills, increasingly decisive in big moments, and willing to embrace pressure with creativity and courage.

His journey—a blend of cultural identity, adaptation across countries, and tactical versatility—makes Saibari a fascinating figure for football observers and a player likely to define the next chapter of Moroccan influence in global football.

Summary: Key Career Milestones

Youth Football: Developed in Spain and Belgium before joining PSV’s academy
Senior PSV Debut: November 2020
Domestic Titles: Multiple Eredivisie titles and Johan Cruyff Shields
2025–26 Form: High scoring and assist output with a memorable hat-trick
International Impact: Morocco senior team regular and AFCON finalist
Future Potential: Linked with major European clubs and rising transfer valuation