Ismaël Saibari to Wear No. 34 at Bayern Munich in Tribute to Abdelhak Nouri

Ismaël Saibari will wear the No. 34 shirt at Bayern Munich, but the number represents far more than just a squad number for the Moroccan midfielder.

Saibari has chosen the number as a deeply personal tribute to his close friend Abdelhak “Appie” Nouri, who famously wore No. 34 during his time at Ajax. Nouri’s promising career was tragically cut short in July 2017 when he collapsed during a friendly match against Werder Bremen and suffered permanent brain damage.

The decision allows Saibari to carry Nouri’s memory with him as he begins an important new chapter of his own career at Bayern Munich. The No. 34 has become closely associated with Nouri and has continued to appear on the shirts of players who want to honour the former Ajax academy star.

Steven Bergwijn at Al Ittihad, Sofyan Amrabat at Fenerbahçe and Chadi Riad at Crystal Palace are among the players who have previously worn the number in tribute to Nouri.

Ajax have since retired the No. 34 shirt in Nouri’s honour, underlining the special place he holds in the club’s history and among its supporters.

For Saibari, the number will now carry that same emotional significance in Germany. Every appearance in Bayern’s No. 34 will serve as a reminder of his friendship with Nouri and ensure that his story continues to be remembered on football’s biggest stages.

It is a powerful gesture as Saibari begins his Bayern Munich journey, combining a new chapter in his career with a tribute to someone who remains deeply important to him.