Phonzy fights back: The inspiring story of Alphonso Davies at FC Bayern

Alphonso Davies tore his cruciate ligament in late March. FC Bayern had to do without their Canadian star on the left flank until 9 December, when he celebrated his eagerly anticipated return to the pitch in the Champions League home game against Sporting Lisbon. But the 24-year-old’s story is about much more than just a serious injury and a comeback – it’s a story of courage, perseverance and an unshakeable love of football.

In a documentary on his comeback, we spoke to Alphonso Davies about his journey:

Alphonso Davies: From young boy in Canada to Bayern’s beacon of hope

Davies’ story began far away from the big football stages. Born in Ghana, he moved to Canada as a child with his family. “I hardly remember Ghana, I was very young,” Davies told fcbayern.com. “Life in Canada was different, especially the cold weather and the new language.” Ice hockey was the dominant sport in his new home country, and he also played a little – “not at the level to become a pro, but I could hold my own on the ice”.

But his passion for football was always there, nurtured by his father, a huge football fan. ”I always wanted to be a footballer, even though it was rather unusual in Edmonton, where I grew up. Most children dreamed of becoming ice hockey players.”

At 14 years of age, Davies moved to Vancouver to train at one of the best football academies in the country. “I had three trial sessions. They always gave me a list of things I had to improve. Every time I came home, I worked only on those points.” His mother was sceptical about letting him move away so young. “I convinced her it was the only right way for me. I met some cool and nice people.”

Davies started with the U16 team in Vancouver, but was soon playing for the reserves and signed his first professional contract at the age of 15. “I’ll never forget how hard the first training session with the first team was. They were much stronger, faster and more experienced than me. I knew I had to learn very quickly if I want to become a professional – and nobody was going to help me up. In the academy you have 10 people helping you. But at pro level, no-one helps you when you’re on the ground. You have to stand on your own two feet.”

First steps as a pro

Davies made his debut for the Canadian national team at the age of 16. “It was exciting. Suddenly I was playing against the best players in the world. I thought: Okay, I've taken this step – what can I do to take the next one?” As the youngest player on the team, Davies shared a hotel room with an experienced teammate who got him out of bed in the morning. “I love my sleep! I'm not a morning person, but he came into the room at 10 o'clock and said, ‘Are you still asleep? Come on, get up!’ That was valuable – he was nearing the end of his career, while I was just starting out.”

There were also some heated moments in the team, such as when a player vocally criticised the coach. “As a 16-year-old I could hardly believe that someone would speak like that to the coach. But that’s football – sometimes people clash with each other, but in the end it’s all sorted out.”

An important mentor in Vancouver was assistant coach Pa-Modou Kah, who constantly warned the young Davies: “You can have all the talent – without hard work and the right attitude it doesn’t get you anywhere! When things get tough, you have to be mentally strong and grit your teeth.” Conversations about injuries also came up, since Kah himself had experienced many setbacks. “I knew early on that injuries are part and parcel, even if it’s difficult.”

Arrival at Bayern: The beginning of a new era

At 18, Davies moved to Europe, to Germany, to FC Bayern Munich. “When I set foot on Säbener Straße for the first time, I realised: I’m actually here!” Defender Mats Hummels was the first player to approach him. “He said he couldn’t wait for me to get to know the club and the city. I always called him ‘Sir’, until he told me: ‘You don’t need to call me Sir, I’m your teammate.”

The first training session was a particular test. “We played five v five and I stood in the middle. I kept losing the ball. [Franck] Ribéry got really annoyed and spoke to me in German, which I didn’t understand.” Davies learned quickly and adapted to the high tempo and technical quality.

He mostly played for the FC Bayern reserves in his first season, but trained with the first team regularly. “That was ideal for me because I was getting game time and at the same time I could learn from the best. You might think you can take it a bit easier with the second team, but that’s not the case. You have to show what you’ve learned.”

Success, injury and the strength to come back

The left-back’s breakthrough came in the 2019/20 campaign, when he got regular playing time and won the Champions League with Bayern. “That feeling of lifting the cup was indescribable. I barely slept for two days I was so happy. It was a dream I’d had as a child and suddenly it came true.”

That dream pushed him on to top performances on the pitch. “I was happy when I signed the contract extension at Bayern recently. And obviously it was nice that Jamal [Musiala] also extended after that, and Kimmich and all the rest. The team is looking really good and I think we can achieve great things this season.”

However, that contact extension was followed by a personal low point in March 2025. Davies suffered a cruciate ligament tear and a meniscus injury in action for Canada. “I heard three clicks, my leg was like paralysed. I couldn’t believe what happened.” The diagnosis meant an operation and a long, hard rehab programme. “The pain, the sleepless nights, waking up in pain every day – it was harder mentally than physically.”

Yet Davies remained positive: “I could either moan or smile and fight. I chose the latter.” Supported by family, friends and FC Bayern, he now set about working on his comeback. “I’m running again, training, building up muscles. The hardest part is done.”

Looking ahead: Hope and anticipation

Despite all the adversity, Davies is optimistic about the future: “I'm looking forward to being back on the pitch with my teammates, battling together and celebrating victories.” For him, success is not just about winning titles, but enjoying every single day. “‘Every day is a new challenge and a gift.”

Besides football, Davies has discovered new sides to himself during his lay-off. “I’m a very practical guy, I like building things. I learned that from my dad, that was our connection. I built Lego sets. But also the table that I’m sitting on and streaming from. I even built furniture and a tech ball machine for outside. All I need are assembly instructions and time.”

The documentary about Alphonso Davies’ Comeback

His story, marked by highs and lows, is now depicted in an exclusive documentary on fcbayern.tv, offering a deep insight into the life of an exceptional young talent, who has never lost belief in himself despite serious injuries and is now coming back stronger than ever at FC Bayern. Watch it here.

Alphonso Davies is more than just a footballer – he’s a symbol of perseverance, passion and the strength to keep going. His journey is an inspiration to all who want to overcome challenges and live their dreams.