Bundesliga
Davies: “I want to stay in Germany for as long as possible”
Alphonso Davies says he wants to “stay in Germany for as long as possible” following a hugely successful first full season in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, promising that there is “much more to come”.
The 19-year-old earned the Bundesliga’s Rookie of the Year award for 2019/20 after playing a key role in the club’s title triumph, chalking up three goals and five assists in 29 league appearances.
As such, he goes into the new 2020/21 season as integral a member of the Bayern first team as the likes of Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller.
Watch: All of Alphonso Davies' goals and assists in 2019/20
That he has been able to do so is in large part down to his resilient attitude, having suffered self-doubt earlier in his career in Canada, even wondering if he “had reached the end of the road” after struggling to settle in the reserve team at former club Vancouver Whitecaps, as he told The Players' Tribune.
Yet after a senior teammate at the time underlined that “it’s the ones with the strongest mentality who make it,” Davies has learned to trust his ability – a trait that helped earn him a move to the Allianz Arena in January 2019.
And it has contributed to him thriving ever since: “When I got to Bayern, I wasn’t too nervous. I just wanted to show people that I could play at this level. And since I had come such a long way, I wanted to play with a smile on my face. I still remind myself of that.”
Fans, teammates and club officials are equally delighted at the sight of Davies in action, revelling in his record-breaking sprints forward and “road-runner” tracking back – as Müller famously put it - to snuff out opposition attacks.
With two Bundesliga titles and two DFB Cup triumphs already in pride of place on what is set to be an increasingly laden trophy cabinet, the Canada international is understandably keen to remain at Bayern for years to come.
“I want to stay in Germany for as long as possible,” he said. “When I’m ready to retire — many, many years from now — I’ll definitely get my coaching badges. Then who knows where I’ll end up? Maybe somewhere in Europe, or even back home in Canada.
“I’ve had a lot of big dreams ever since I was a kid, and Bayern are helping me achieve those dreams. But trust me, there is more to come. I’m just getting started.”