In September 2022, a few months before leaving the Devils after the World Cup in Qatar, Roberto Martinez did what he could to try to convince one of the binational talents (and even trinational in his case ) the most monitored by the federation representing Belgium.
At the time, Ismael Saibari had barely joined the A core of PSV. Born in Terrassa, Spain, he trained from a young age at Anderlecht, then Genk, joining PSV at 19.
The choice of the heart
But when the former coach of the Devils comes to the news, it is already too late: “That a big name in football like him contacted me, I found it great. But I let him know that I was choosing Morocco” Saibari explained.
A year later, the former Genk promise was called up for the first time by Walid Regragui for the Atlas Lions, after several selections in age categories. He took advantage of this international break to score his first goal with Morocco.
Now a starter at PSV, Saibari was brilliant on the Gabon pitch…even though he only played ten minutes. Mounted at the same time as Bilal El Khanoushe amazed the gallery by delivering an assist, then scoring the 1-5 goal himself by beating two defenders along the goal line before finishing from a tight angle.
We therefore understand why Roberto Martinez tried to attract him to the Devils. Especially since contrary to what the images might suggest, the boy is developing as a midfielder.
