Rejected as Overweight at 14, Ismael Saibari Emerges at the World Cup

Ismael Saibari has become one of the early stories of the 2026 World Cup after scoring Morocco’s opening goal against Brazil. Vinicius Junior later equalized, but Saibari’s strike brought renewed attention to the difficult start of his career.

Saibari was released by Anderlecht when he was 14, after, he says, he was told he was overweight. “They told me I was too fat,” he said in an earlier interview. “I was playing well and in good shape. It was an honor to play there, but the day before the new season started I got the message. It was very painful.”

The Moroccan did not give up on his dream. He moved on to Genk and, in 2020, transferred to PSV Eindhoven, where he developed into an important player. Last season he recorded 19 goals and 10 assists in 37 appearances in all competitions.

After scoring against Brazil, Saibari could look back with satisfaction, as the boy once discarded for his weight has become a key PSV player and a World Cup scorer against one of football’s biggest teams.