Alphonso Davies still humble
Canadian’s contract extension from Bayern Munich extended
TORONTO — Alphonso Davies is reaching lofty heights as a professional soccer player, but it seems his feet are still firmly planted on the ground.
On the heels of signing a contract extension with Bayern Munich through the 2025 season, Davies took time out to host a video conference call Monday as the German Bundesliga begins to slowly inch back toward a return from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Davies, 19, signed a two-year extension with Bayern on April 20 and is back training with the team as the German league looks at returning on May 9.
“In the morning, we get up and start training at around 10:15 a.m., in small groups, six or seven people, and we do our assignments that we are given on the field,” Davies said. “Obviously, we don’t high-five each other or fist-bump each other, we try to keep a safe distance.
“Once we’re done training, we go home and we trying to stay at home. Obviously if you want to go outside, you can go outside, but we all know that we have to be cautious of the situation and we take cautious steps being outside around a large group of people.”
Born in a refugee camp in Ghana to Liberian parents, Davies immigrated to Canada and grew up in Edmonton, playing in the city’s club system before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps youth program five years ago. He went on to play with the Whitecaps first team for two seasons before signing with Bayern in July 2018, in what was then a Mls-record $22-million US transfer.
Davies joined Bayern later that year and made his debut with the legendary club in January 2019, scoring his first goal for the team in March.
Davies has become a regular starter for Bayern at left back and had a goal and eight assists in 31 games before the league was halted due to the pandemic, where Germany has 158,213 confirmed cases and 6,021 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Centre.
“My progression here in
Germany has been a really good one,” Davies said. “I have a good supporting staff around me and good teammates encouraging me every single day to perform on the field and to perform in training and I set high standards for myself as well knowing that Bayern Munich is one of the best teams in the world.
“Each and every day you have to perform, whether it’s on the practice ground or off the practice ground. I just want to improve each and every day.”
PAVING THE WAY
A player of enormous talent, Davies is setting an example and paving the way for Canadians on the world soccer stage.
It was difficult to predict how the speedy, left-footed offensive winger would fit into the Bayern system alongside some of the best players in the world. Davies has found a spot at left back, although an argument can be made he should play further up the field when suiting up internationally for Canada.
“Being Canadian, I’m happy that I’m getting an opportunity to play for this amazing club,” Davies said. “Then being so young and coming early, it’s even more motivation to try and inspire young Canadian athletes, especially footballers to set their mind to something and not being afraid to go after it regardless of where you’re from.
“Canada hasn’t really been a top footballing country in the world, but I think the next generation of players coming through, I think we can really change that.”
Davies is expected to lead the charge for Canada, which is looking to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar before co-hosting the 2026 tournament with the United States and Mexico. Canada has only ever qualified for the World Cup in 1986, when it lost all three group games and didn’t score a goal in Mexico.
Davies did his part in helping secure the 2026 tournament in North America — which likely comes with an automatic berth — travelling to Russia and speaking on behalf of the bid for Canada.
“Being able to have the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA is a great honour for us,” Davies said. “Being able to speak at the ceremony that announced they were bringing it here was a stepping stone for a young player like me. I’m happy that it’s coming to Canada.”
By the time the World Cup gets to Canada, it’s possible Davies could be a bona fide superstar on the international scene.
Prior to leagues around the world coming to an abrupt halt, Davies had an outstanding game against Chelsea in a 3-0 Champions League round of 16 win at Stamford Bridge in London in February.
Davies set up a goal in the contest and was arguably the best player on the field. He was prompted by his teammates after the game to acknowledge the travelling Bayern fans, who were chanting his name.
“Going into that game, I knew it was a very important game for the team,” Davies said. “The Champions League and being able to play in the round of 16, is every kid’s dream come true. I just wanted to go out there and play my game and I’m happy that we played so well.
“I heard the fans calling my name and I was a little bit shy at first, but I had teammates that encouraged me to give them a little applause and a little love, and it felt good afterwards.”