Bayern Munich has been dealt a significant blow with the news that their star defender, Alphonso Davies, suffered a serious injury while representing Canada during the recent international break. The 24-year-old left-back tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during Canada’s 2-1 victory over the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League third-place match on Sunday, sidelining him for several months. However, amidst the setback, Bayern Munich is set to receive financial compensation from FIFA due to the injury occurring on international duty.
Davies, a key figure in Bayern’s defensive line and one of the world’s premier full-backs, sustained the injury just 12 minutes into the match in California. Initial concerns arose when he went down clutching his knee, and subsequent medical evaluations confirmed the severity of the damage. Bayern Munich announced on Wednesday that Davies had undergone successful surgery in Innsbruck, performed by renowned knee specialist Dr. Christian Fink, and will face an extended recovery period, likely ruling him out for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, including the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, and the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in June.
The injury has sparked frustration at Bayern, with the club’s sporting director, Max Eberl, lamenting the risks associated with international breaks. “During international breaks, unfortunately, there is always the risk that players will return injured; this time it has affected us especially,” Eberl said in a statement. “Phonzy will receive all the support he needs on his return.”
Under FIFA’s Club Protection Programme, Bayern Munich is entitled to compensation for the loss of Davies’ services. The program provides financial relief to clubs when their players suffer injuries while on international duty that result in absences exceeding 28 days. With Davies facing a recovery timeline of at least six months—potentially stretching to eight months if additional complications such as cartilage damage are confirmed—the German giants are poised to receive a significant payout. The compensation is calculated based on the player’s fixed salary, capped at a maximum of €7.5 million, offering Bayern some financial respite as they navigate the absence of one of their most dynamic players.
The injury occurred amid controversy, with Davies’ agent, Nedal Huoseh, criticizing Canada Soccer for their handling of the situation. Huoseh claimed that Davies had been nursing a minor injury from Canada’s previous match against Mexico and was not fully fit to start against the U.S. “Alphonso was not 100% after the Mexico game, and it was planned that he was not going to start against the USA,” Huoseh told reporters. “I was surprised that he started because he had communicated he wasn’t good to start.” Canada Soccer refuted these allegations, with a spokesperson stating, “Canada Soccer’s coaches and experienced medical staff are true professionals and have always prioritized player safety and wellbeing. Anything suggesting otherwise is untrue.”
The incident has reignited debates about the balance between club and international commitments, with Bayern fans and pundits expressing frustration over losing a key player in what some have called a “meaningless” third-place playoff. Davies’ absence compounds an ongoing injury crisis at Bayern, with center-back Dayot Upamecano also sidelined for several weeks due to a separate knee issue sustained during the international break.