King_of_lion Posted December 5, 2020 Posted December 5, 2020 Canadian midfielder Alphonso Davies celebrates with the trophy after helping Bayern Munich defeat Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final on Aug. 23. (Miguel A. Lopes/Getty Images) 11 comments Five trophies with Bayern Munich. And now a second Canadian Men's Player of the Year award in three years. Alphonso Davies, at 20 already Canada's most famous soccer export, has been on a roll in 2020. It took torn ankle ligaments to slow down the pacey fullback dubbed the Bayern Road Runner by teammate Thomas Mueller, after the lightning-quick cartoon character. But Davies, who was sidelined in late October in Bayern's 5-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, is back. And he may be even better. "The road to recovery was tough but I knew I had to do it, I had to fight," he told reporters Thursday. "I couldn't be disappointed, I couldn't be sad. I just had to get up and keep the smile on my face and get back. "Every day working out, I think I got a little big bigger up top through the six weeks," he added, pointing to his torso. "So that was a bonus as well." WATCH | Davies upbeat while rehabbing from ankle injury: Alphoso Davies on bouncing back from ankle injury 2 days agoVideo 1:23 2020 Canadian Men's Player of the Year Alphonso Davies says training and staying positive helped him overcome his injury. 1:23 Davis has had plenty to smile about in 2020, earning worldwide acclaim while helping Bayern Munich fill its trophy case. That success has earned him Canadian Men's Player of the Year honours in a landslide. Canada Soccer, which will announce the women's award winner on Friday, said Davies earned a record vote total from Canadian media and coaches, finishing just ahead of Christine Sinclair's record set in 2012. Davies also captured the award in 2018, then the youngest-ever winner of the men's award at age 18. He was named Canada's U-17 Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017. "To see what Alphonso Davies has accomplished this year is awe-inspiring for the next generation of players," Canada coach John Herdman said in a statement. "His achievements have raised the flag in our sport higher than anyone else in our lifetime on the men's side of the game and he has helped put this country as a football country on the world map." Alphonso Davies makes history as Bayern blanks Paris Saint-Germain to capture Champions League title Davies is looking forward to resuming play in Canadian colours next year, with World Cup qualifying and the Gold Cup on tap. He says the current crop of Canadians including Jonathan David, Milan Borjan and Scott Arfield as well as members of the women's team — he dates fellow Canadian Jordyn Huitema who plays for the Paris Saint-Germain women — have shown with their play in Europe that Canada is more than a hockey hotbed. "When I was growing up, I felt like no one gave Canadians a chance. And now that they see we have quality in Canada and it's amazing to see," he said. WATCH | Davies pleased to see Canadian soccer development: Alphonso Davies on Canada gaining respect as a soccer nation 2 days agoVideo 1:26 2020 Canadian Men's Player of the Year Alphonso Davies says he's happy to see players from his country succeed at the international level. 1:26 Davies has helped lead the way. Converted to fullback by Bayern, he has turned heads with his speed and ability to create attacks. In June, Davies was named Bundesliga rookie of the year in voting by fans, clubs and the media. Kicker magazine, a German sports magazine that focuses mainly on football, included him in its Bundesliga team of the season. This week ESPN ranked Davies as the second-best left fullback in the world, behind Liverpool's Andy Robertson. He was third in voting for the Golden Boy award won by Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. The annual award, run by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, honours the best young player in Europe. And he was shortlisted as a nominee for UEFA's Team of the Year and Defender of the Year. THE BUZZER What's next for Alphonso Davies Davies shone on the biggest stage. In an 8-2 beatdown of Barcelona in Champions League quarter-final play in August, he set up Bayern's fifth goal in the 63rd minute with a sensational run down the left flank. Davies beat three Barca players, befuddling Portuguese international Nelson Semedo before racing past several more defenders into the penalty box and sending a perfect pass to Joshua Kimmich to slot in from close range. "That was unbelievable," Kimmich said later. "Even I was a bit ashamed when I celebrated. He gets 99 per cent of the credit for the goal. I only had to get the ball over the line."
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