Saibari’s Heroic Debut: Catches Collapsing Musiala at Bayern
Ismael Saibari made an unforgettable debut for Bayern Munich on Saturday, not just for his assist but for his quick-thinking heroics when teammate Jamal Musiala suddenly collapsed on the pitch. The Moroccan with Antwerp roots rushed to catch the German international before he hit the ground, in a moment that captured attention across the football world.
The incident occurred during Bayern’s 3-1 pre-season friendly win over RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena, where temperatures reached approximately 33-35 degrees Celsius. Musiala had just scored Bayern’s third goal in the 81st minute, with the assist from Saibari, when he suddenly appeared to lose consciousness and began collapsing.
A Moment of Quick Thinking
Saibari, who had come on as a substitute in the 70th minute, was the first to react. Along with Joshua Kimmich, he managed to catch Musiala and gently lower him to the ground. An emergency doctor sprinted onto the field as the stadium fell silent. After several tense minutes, the doctor gave a thumbs-up, and Musiala was able to walk off the pitch on his own, though appearing dazed.
According to FCBinside, Musiala was examined by Bayern’s medical staff in the locker room, with no major issues found. The 23-year-old suffered from dizziness and circulatory problems due to the extreme heat. He was expected to rest for two days before resuming training.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl offered reassurance, saying: “The most important thing, he’s doing well!” Captain Manuel Neuer added, “We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”
A Dream Debut
Beyond the heroic moment, Saibari’s debut was widely praised by German media. BILD headlined it “A dream debut in the Allianz Arena: Super-Saibari gives assist on Jamal Musiala.” The Süddeutsche Zeitung noted: “He dribbled beautifully to the edge of the box and immediately gave his first assist. He truly danced past the defenders.”
The 25-year-old, who transferred from PSV Eindhoven for a reported €50 million, also received a yellow card for a hard tackle on Ezechiel Banzuzi. But his overall performance left a strong impression on his new teammates. “Ismael Saibari and Nene Brown are super footballers and super people,” said midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic. “They have both shown today what they can do.”
A Personal Connection
Saibari’s quick reaction to Musiala’s collapse carries deep personal significance. His close friend Abdelhak Nouri collapsed during a friendly match between Werder Bremen and Ajax in July 2017, suffering a cardiac arrest. Nouri survived but has been severely disabled ever since. Saibari wears the number 34 at Bayern as a tribute to Nouri, who wore that number at Ajax. As Bundesliga.com reported, Saibari explained: “He is nine years ago during a match with Ajax Amsterdam collapsed on the pitch. He survived, but is since then no longer able to move independently. To support him, I wear the 34, because he last wore that.”
The 20min.ch report noted that for Saibari, witnessing Musiala’s collapse was likely a déjà vu of the traumatic Nouri incident.
Belgian Roots, Global Stage
Saibari’s journey to Bayern Munich is remarkable. Born in Terrassa, Spain, to a Moroccan family, he moved to Belgium at age six and grew up in Willebroek, near Antwerp. He progressed through the youth academies of Beerschot, Anderlecht, KV Mechelen, and Genk before joining PSV in 2020. After being released by Anderlecht following a dip in form, he used the setback as motivation. “It motivated me to work much harder,” he later said.
His rise has been meteoric. At PSV, he won three consecutive Eredivisie titles and was named Player of the Year in the 2025-26 season. At the 2026 World Cup, he scored in all three group stage matches for Morocco, becoming the first African player to do so. As CNA reported, Saibari chose to represent Morocco over Belgium and Spain, saying: “When you choose a national team, it has to come from the heart.”
What’s Next
Bayern’s next test comes against 1. FC Heidenheim on Tuesday, followed by the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against Borussia Dortmund next Saturday. The Bundesliga opener against VfB Stuttgart follows on August 28. With Musiala expected to recover fully and Saibari making a strong first impression, Bayern fans have plenty of reasons for optimism as the competitive season approaches.