Ismael Saibari: ”When teammates show up at PSV in a bizarre outfit, we jokingly film and roast them”
Ismael Saibari is considered one of PSV’s standout players and played a key role in the Eindhoven club’s championship win. But we wouldn’t be Life After Football if we didn’t look beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch. We spoke with the Moroccan international about fashion, stylish and less stylish teammates, and the fashion item he bought with his first big paycheck.
How would you describe your clothing style?
Ismael Saibari: “Street with a touch of classic. I prefer oversized clothes when I’m walking around on the street, it just feels better. But for special occasions, I also like a more classic look, though I won’t go as far as wearing a suit. I usually go for neat trousers with a polo shirt and a nice jacket. I’m also really into sneakers and fragrances — they really complete my style.”
Which footballer inspires you when it comes to fashion?
“I look a lot at my former teammate Anwar El Ghazi, who was nominated for the Fashion Player Award last year. He always came to the club with good outfits and, in my opinion, has a very nice style. Anwar often wore more classic outfits and combined them well with matching colors.”
“You have to present yourself well at the club.”
Could you always talk about fashion with Anwar El Ghazi?
“Definitely, I could always talk fashion with Anwar. Also with (former) teammates like Patrick van Aanholt and Joël Drommel — both have a nice style. Joël wears more designer clothing than I do, but we can still bounce ideas off each other. Even though I could talk fashion with those three, we didn’t go shopping together. Everyone shops on their own, and then it’s up to you to present yourself well at the club. You can’t afford to make mistakes, or you’ll get roasted hard.”
“He sometimes walks into the locker room wearing the weirdest color combinations.”
Which teammate could use some style advice?
“André Ramalho, haha. He really showed up with the weirdest combinations sometimes. But Johan Bakayoko as well, to be honest. He sometimes walks into the locker room with the strangest color combos. He definitely needs some advice. When teammates show up at the club in a bizarre outfit, we jokingly film them and roast them. We make sure they never wear that outfit again.”
How is fashion experienced in the Moroccan national team?
“It’s definitely a big thing in our locker room. In Morocco, we’re really into fashion, especially since there are always photos taken when we arrive at the complex. Everyone tries to look as fresh as possible, so it’s quite important.”
“It’s hard to choose between Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech”
Who is the biggest style icon in the Moroccan national team’s locker room?
“It’s hard to choose between Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech — they both have great style. Achraf sometimes wears unusual pieces, but he pulls them off. Hakim doesn’t always wear the kind of clothes people expect or would wear themselves. But he also wears a lot of streetwear, which aligns with my style. I admire that both of them aren’t afraid to wear non-standard outfits.”
Do you consider sustainability when buying clothes?
“Sustainability is definitely important, but it’s not my top priority when buying clothes. It’s a nice bonus if a piece is sustainable. I do have some T-shirts and pants in my closet that are sustainable and last a long time. So I’ve got a bit of everything, really.”
What did you buy with your first big paycheck?
“The ‘Louis Vuitton Skate Beige White.’ That was the first big fashion item I really bought for myself. For me, it’s a special sneaker — it’s different from other shoes. I was immediately drawn to it and wanted to get that model as soon as possible. I’m really happy with them and don’t wear them often because they’re so special to me. They mean a lot.”
Curious for more football lifestyle stories? Don’t miss our interview with Ismael Saibari’s teammate, Noa Lang.
