Bayern’s Rising Star Ismael Saibari Shares the Story Behind Abdelhak Nouri’s Iconic Number 34

When the lads of Bayern Munich’s academy gather around the training ground, you’ll often hear a low‑key chant: “34, 34, 34.” It’s not just a number on a jersey – it’s a quiet nod to a talent taken far too soon. In a recent interview, young midfielder Ismael Saibari, who has been tipped as a future first‑team regular, finally lifted the veil on why Abdelhak Nouri, the Dutch‑Moroccan prodigy, chose that particular digit.

Saibari, 21, arrived at the Allianz Arena from the Dutch side of the footballing world and quickly settled into the Bayern family. “I remember the first time I heard the number being spoken with reverence,” he says, a faint smile breaking through his serious tone. “Back then it felt like an inside joke, something only the older boys understood.”

For those less familiar with Bayern’s recent history, Nouri’s story is both inspiring and heartbreaking. The attacking midfielder burst onto the scene in the 2017‑18 season, dazzling fans with his silky dribbling and uncanny vision. In the 2018‑19 Champions League semi‑final against Liverpool, he was handed the number 34 shirt – a number he later explained was a tribute to his late father, who passed away at 34 years old. The gesture was a personal memorial, a way of keeping his father’s spirit close every time he stepped onto the pitch.

“When Abdelhak told us why he wore 34, it was more than a shirt number,” Saibari recalls. “It was a piece of his heart, a reminder that even in the glare of a stadium, you can carry a private love with you.” The sentiment stuck, especially after the tragic incident in 2019 when Nouri collapsed during a friendly match, sustaining severe brain injuries that have left him with lifelong challenges.

In the years that followed, Bayern turned the number into a symbol of unity and remembrance. “Every time a youth player steps onto the field wearing 34, it’s a salute,” Saibari explains. “It’s not about superstition; it’s about honoring a brother who could have achieved so much.” The club even placed a small plaque in the academy’s hallway, bearing Nouri’s name and the number, to remind the next generation of what perseverance looks like.

Saibari admits that wearing the number himself carries a weight, but also a source of motivation. “When I pull on the 34, I feel Abdelhak’s energy, his smile. It pushes me to work harder, to make the most of the opportunities he never got.” He adds that the senior squad, including veterans like Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller, often stop to chat with the youngsters about Nouri’s legacy, reinforcing the idea that the number is a living thread linking past and future.

Fans outside Munich have picked up on the story, too. Social media feeds are peppered with tributes, and the hashtag #34Forever trends every time Bayern scores a goal. For Saibari, the outpouring of support is a comfort. “It shows that football isn’t just a game,” he says. “It’s a community that cares, remembers, and carries each other forward.”

Looking ahead, Saibari hopes to add his own chapter to the 34 narrative. “One day, maybe I’ll pass it on to a youngster who needs that extra push,” he muses. “And the number will keep its meaning, evolving with each new dream.”

In a sport where numbers often become brands – think 10 for the maestro or 7 for the legend – Bayern’s 34 remains a quiet, heartfelt emblem. Thanks to voices like Saibari’s, the story behind it stays alive, reminding us that behind every jersey lies a human story worth telling.