As Alphonso Davies walked off the pitch after helping his team eviscerate Barcelona 8-2, the 19-year-old walked up to his childhood idol and asked for his jersey. He was rebuffed, probably the only time he’s failed to get what he wants in the 20 months since he left Canada for Bavaria.
Alphonso Davies asked (his idol) Messi for his shirt and he rejected him. Lmao #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/D48giJK2AS
— Wayne Wooney (@waynebotfc) August 19, 2020
On July 25, 2018, Davies shattered the MLS transfer fee record when he signed with Bayern Munich for $13.5 million (up to $22 million with add-ons) from the Vancouver Whitecaps. Since then, the precocious winger has gone from a kid only MLS aficionados knew about to one of the best left backs in the world. On Sunday, he could become the first Canadian to win a Champions League title as he’s set to go head-to-head with Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and PSG.
“We signed Alphonso Davies a year ago because we saw him as one of the best players of his generation,” Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said back in 2019. “We’re delighted that this is now being confirmed with every game he plays. Our fans love him too. They’ve been waiting for such a young player who plays so naturally with pace, technique and a strong physical presence.”
While Davies’ progression with Bayern has been remarkable to see, it’s important to remember he was an absolute badass in MLS too. Here are a few Alphonso Davies MLS highlights that show just how devastating he was as a youngster with the Whitecaps.
Alphonso Davies MLS Highlights
Alphonso Davies was born in a refugee camp in Ghana to Liberian parents. The family moved to Edmonton, Canada, at the age of 5 but Davies didn’t pick up soccer until junior high. It didn’t take long for Davies to catch on and stand out; soon he signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps academy in 2015, at the age of 14.
By 16, Davies was featured by Vice Sports, which took a look at his path from refugee camp to the second-youngest player in MLS history. It was clear even then that this young man was destined for something special.
Davies made eight MLS appearances in 2016 and 26 in 2017, playing mostly as a left winger. Before he scored his first MLS goal, he broke onto the scene with the Canadian national team at the 2017 Gold Cup. At 16, Davies scored two against French Guiana to become the youngest scorer in the history of the competition. He added a third against Costa Rica, which was enough to earn him the Golden Boot and Young Player of the Tournament.
Though he provided a couple assists in those early MLS seasons (and scored twice in the Concacaf Champions League), Davies’ first league goal finally came in the 2018 season opener against Montreal. It was a simple tap-in he made more difficult by shooting right at the keeper, who still couldn’t keep the ball out.
Davies’ second goal arrived three months later, another simple tap-in off a rebound against Orlando. The real highlights of that match were Davies’ three assists in a 5-2 win, a career high for him.
Arguably one of Davies’ most impactful moments in 2018 came when he delivered a speech before the FIFA vote for the 2026 World Cup host. Imploring FIFA members to vote for Canada (along with the U.S. and Mexico), he helped bring the World Cup to his adopted nation for the first time.
A couple days later, on July 15, 2018, Davies upstaged Wayne Rooney’s debut with D.C. United with an absurd solo goal. Although Vancouver lost 3-1, Davies’ effort was the type of thing you expect to see from a Lionel Messi, not a Canadian.
As my youth coach used to always say: “Quick feet are hard to beat.” And Davies has some of the quickest feet you’ll ever see.
It took 10 days after that goal was scored for Davies to sign his record transfer to Bayern Munich. The deal, however, wouldn’t go into effect until Jan. 1, 2019, giving Davies time to finish his season with the Whitecaps.
“Alphonso Davies is a very great talent,” Salihamidzic said at the time. “At only 17, he promises a lot for the future. Alphonso already has great skills and was not hotly courted by many top clubs for nothing. So I am very pleased that Davies has chosen FC Bayern.”
Herzlich willkommen beim #FCBayern, @AlphonsoDavies! #MiaSanMia
https://t.co/4sVTwMZL5d pic.twitter.com/L67NacXSei— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) July 25, 2018
The next time out after the deal became official was a home game against Minnesota. Davies celebrated the move by producing his best performance in MLS with two goals and two assists. And these weren’t just any two goals and two assists — he dominated the game with the style and panache of Pelé.
Davies’ first contribution was an assist for Yordy Reyna, who admittedly did all the hard work, dribbling around a few defenders before firing from just inside the 18. Early in the second half, Davies let the world know $22 million was a bargain for Bayern with a bamboozling move around New Zealand international Michael Boxall before finishing five-hole.
Davies then set up Kei Kamara on the break to make it 3-0 before Minnesota threatened a comeback with two late goals. But Davies finished things off by again torching the United defenders to score for a 4-2 win. Check out the full highlights below, including Davies’ second goal at 2:53.
And here’s a bonus run from that match from Davies, who was devastating throughout.
This Alphonso Davies kid pic.twitter.com/GLvT9Wi2In
— Conman Fleming (@ConmanFleming) July 29, 2018
A couple days later, Davies made his first — and probably only — appearance in the MLS All-Star game, a 30-minute cameo against Juventus. Davies was mic’d up for the match, giving fans a field-level view of what happens during these exhibitions.
Best of all, Davies acted like the 17-year-old kid he was, telling Alex Sandro he has him on FIFA and just enjoying the moment.
For those #tbt feels, we've got @AlphonsoDavies mic'd up at #MLSAllStar! pic.twitter.com/ndxrtE73f7
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 17, 2018
Davies added another goal in September against the Quakes, but the real highlight of that month was the launch of his YouTube channel. Davies is still adding videos, but you can still look back to see how much of a lovable goofball he was as a 17-year-old.
Davies finished his MLS career (at least for now) with a brace against eventual MLS Cup runner-up Portland in a 2-1 victory.
Davies completed the 2018 MLS season with eight goals and 10 assists in 31 appearances for the Whitecaps. While his performances were a sign of things to come with Bayern, it was clear he was already one of the most talented footballers in MLS at the age of 17.
Since moving to Germany, Davies has continued to excel when he comes back to North America. He helped Canada beat the USMNT 2-0 in the Concacaf Nations League, the Canucks’ first win over the U.S. in 34 years.
Davies has moved past his own personal doubts and has proven himself to be one of the most terrifying players to face in the world. His world-class pace is easy to see, as when he set the Bundesliga speed record, but it’s his dribbling skills and always-improving defensive abilities that make him one of the easiest decisions on Hansi Flick’s starting lineup.
Many will say 2019-20 was a breakout year for Davies; he’s recorded three goals and 10 assists across all competitions. His assist in Bayern’s 8-2 demolition of Barcelona was perhaps the most memorable moment in an unforgettable match.
But those who have been following his career since the start — as we at The18 have been doing since he was 15 — know he’s been an electric talent for years.
