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WHAT HAPPENED?
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee during Canada’s 2-1 win over the USA in the CONCACAF Nations League third-place playoff on March 24, 2025. The injury happened early in the match, forcing Davies off after just 12 minutes of play. This comes after Davies said he didn’t feel fully fit for the match but was forced to start the match anyways.
INJURY DETAILS
Davies underwent surgery to repair the torn ACL on March 26, 2025. The 24-year-old left-back is expected to be sidelined for several months, likely missing the remainder of the 2024-25 season and the start of the 2025-26 campaign. He will also miss the FIFA Club World Cup scheduled for June and July 2025.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The injury to Davies has sparked controversy between Bayern Munich and Canada Soccer. Bayern officials have accused Canada Soccer of negligence in their handling of Davies’ injury, citing the decision to play him in a match of little competitive significance and the lack of proper medical assessment before allowing him to travel back to Germany.
Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has demanded a full investigation into the matter and suggested the club may consider legal action against Canada Soccer. The German club is particularly frustrated as they recently extended Davies’ contract until 2030, viewing him as a core player for their future.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Davies will focus on his rehabilitation process in the coming months. Bayern Munich will have to adapt to his absence as they push for the Bundesliga title and compete in the Champions League quarterfinals against Inter Milan. The club will also be without defender Dayot Upamecano, who suffered a knee injury during the international break and is expected to be out for several weeks.
Before that, Bayern plays Augsburg for the Bundesliga on the 4th of April. They lead the league with 6 points distance to 2nd place Bayer Leverkusen.
Canada Soccer and Bayern Munich will likely continue discussions regarding the incident, with potential investigations and legal actions to be determined. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between clubs and national teams concerning player welfare during international breaks.
