Ismael Saibari: A Rising Star from Terrassa
The other day, a photo of Ismael Saibari appeared on my Facebook feed, prompting me to tell my wife, "This is the kid I was telling you about. He was here with us, and look at how far he has come!" It fills us with immense pride and joy,” recalls Paco Garzón, who served as the president of Can Parellada Sports Club in Terrassa for many years. Saibari, born in 2001 in Terrassa, has become a key player for Morocco in the World Cup, scoring two pivotal goals. His remarkable journey has seen him excel in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven, and it is widely anticipated that he will soon make a significant move to Bayern Munich for a staggering 50 million euros.
Ismael comes from a family that immigrated to Spain in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He has an older brother, Akram, born in 1995, who played for the Alevín A team of Damm during the 2006-2007 season. Ismael began his football journey at Can Parellada, a club that has nurtured talents like Albert Luque and Vicky Losada. Established in 1971, Can Parellada has become a vital hub for the local community, particularly for the immigrant population, as 80% of its members are either from Spain or abroad. “The club is a meeting point that unites our daily lives,” Garzón explains, reflecting on the importance of football in their neighborhood.
From Challenges to Triumphs
Despite showing great promise as a young player, Saibari's tenure at Can Parellada was cut short by the economic crisis that hit in 2007. His father, Hassan, faced unemployment, leading the family to migrate to Belgium in search of better opportunities. Jonathan Oviedo, the youth football coordinator at Can Parellada, remembers Saibari fondly as a versatile player who could excel in any position on the field. “He was the best on the team, and it didn't matter where you placed him; he always performed well. He had a great shot and a knack for scoring,” Oviedo shares. Saibari would spend every day at the football pitch, arriving early and staying late, embodying the determination and passion that would later define his career.
Saibari's humble beginnings in a neighborhood characterized by modest living conditions shaped his character and drive. His teammate, Sergi Puertos, recalls, “He was the type of kid you could tell knew what he was doing. Although he was smaller, his agility with the ball was impressive.” Saibari's family faced numerous challenges, including a significant move to Belgium, but they persevered, and he quickly progressed through elite youth academies like Anderlecht and Genk before signing with PSV Eindhoven in 2020. He made his debut for the first team by replacing Mario Götze, known for his crucial role in Germany's 2014 World Cup victory over Argentina.
In 2022, Saibari received a call from Robert Martínez, the then-coach of the Belgian national team, but he chose to represent Morocco, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Now, as an offensive midfielder, he has proven his versatility and technical skills, contributing 19 goals and nine assists in the current season alone. His aspirations extend beyond club success, as he aims to make history with the Moroccan national team, which has already made headlines as the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals.
As Morocco gears up for future tournaments, the team is a reflection of its diverse background, with many players being children of immigrants, similar to Saibari. This World Cup sees three players from Terrassa, including Dani Olmo and Marc Pubill, highlighting the region's contribution to the global football scene. Puertos notes that while few people in the neighborhood may be aware of Saibari's roots, his remarkable journey from their local pitch to international stardom is a source of pride for all who knew him.
As reported by es.ara.cat.
