Football World Cup: Bayern newcomer Saibari injured - mystery surrounding Davies

FC Bayern Munich faces a setback with the injury of its new signing, Ismael Saibari, who was forced off the field during Morocco's 3-0 victory over Canada in the World Cup Round of 16. Saibari, who had been a standout performer in the tournament, experienced thigh pain and was substituted after just 22 minutes of play.

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I didn't want to be a burden to the team. That's why I decided to rest in this situation.

Despite the injury, Saibari could still celebrate from the bench as his Moroccan teammates secured their place in the quarterfinals, becoming the first team to advance. The offensive midfielder's transfer to Bayern was announced this week, with the German club signing him on a contract until 2031 for an estimated fee of 55 million euros. Saibari's impressive World Cup performances had already drawn significant international attention, prompting Bayern's early move to secure his signature.

Meanwhile, Canadian star Alphonso Davies was sidelined for the match due to muscular discomfort. National coach Jesse Marsch opted not to risk Davies, explaining that while his recovery from a previous injury was progressing well, he felt a slight pull. An MRI scan confirmed no structural damage, but Marsch emphasized the importance of caution, especially given Davies' history of muscle issues following a long layoff from a cruciate ligament tear.

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Every time I play, I want to give my best. Before this match, I simply couldn't do that with the necessary freedom because of the injury.

Davies himself stated he did not want to be a burden to the team and prioritized being able to perform at his best. He acknowledged that his injury prevented him from playing with the necessary freedom, leading to his decision to sit out the crucial match. The Bayern player had missed all three group stage games due to a thigh injury sustained in the Champions League semifinal.

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We hoped he would feel better after waking up, but that was not the case. That's why we wanted to be on the safe side and not take any risks.