The lightning-quick Bayern Munich and Canada
star tellsWorld Soccerall about his career so far
“Bayern have
already helped me
achieve many of
my dreams...
But I’m just
getting started”
ALPHONSO DAVIES
What’s your earliest football
memory – did you start
playing when you moved
to Canada, or before that?
It was in Canada that I first really started
playing. There was a programme that allowed
kids from the city to play football after school
and I didn’t ever miss a session. Football is
growing [in Canada], but it isn’t the most
popular sport. For me it was all I ever wanted to
play though, and there is the chance to develop
in Canada.
You’re an established player in the
national team, and part of an exciting new
generation. Do you think Canada can reach
their first World Cup?
It has been so long but I really do believe in the
qualities of this team and I can see us putting
up a real fight for a place at the 2022 World
Cup. It would be an incredible moment, not just
for the team, but for the country as a whole.Did you ever consider playing for Ghana
or Liberia?
I am proud of my heritage and the heritage of
my parents, but I was just five years old when
I moved to Canada. It has been my home for
so long and it was where I grew up, so those
were the reasons behind my decision.Do you think that there is more talent like
yours in MLS? Do you believe it gets the
respect it deserves as a league?
There will be more talent for sure, and I hope
that young players coming through can see
that playing for the big teams in Europe
doesn’t just have to be a dream.Was it always an ambition of yours to play
in Europe? Did you have any other offers
before choosing Bayern Munich?
Europe is always the ambition for any
professional I think, because of the standard.
I think that there were conversations with one
or two other clubs, but Bayern was an easy
choice and the right choice.Which senior players helped you to settle
in when you arrived in Munich, who did
youlooktolearnfromandwhoare
your friends at the club?
All of the players and coaches were so helpful
to me, but David Alaba has been a big help.
He was one of the best left-backs in the world
and now he is one of the best centre-backs in
the world. I have tried to learn all I can off him
because there is so much he has to teach.