It feels amazing to be in the FIFPRO 11 but I’m not yet the best left-back in the world – Alphonso Davies
Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies says he is far from the finished article yet, despite taking the left-back berth in the 2020 FIFA FIFPro World 11.
Davies was recognised for his part in Bayern’s 2019/20 Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League treble by being named in the heavyweight line-up alongside club-mates Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski.
The nominations come from national team captains and head coaches, an online ballot of fans, and 200 media members – with the final ballot putting Davies ahead of Barcelona’s Jordi Alba and Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson.
The 20-year-old Canada international admits he was delighted to make the final grade, even if he doesn’t consider himself quite the crème de la crème in a position he only converted to from a winger last season.
“It means a lot,” Davies told bundesliga.com in an interview made available to OmaSports
“Obviously from a personal standpoint, for myself there are attributes of my game that I can fix. There are other left-backs in the world that are better than me at some attributes but being able to consider myself as one of the best left-backs is amazing.”
Davies made all but four of his 46 competitive appearances in his first full season as a Bayern player at left-back. He set a new Bundesliga speed record, whilst serving up one of the finest assists in Champions League history, in the record champions’ 8-2 quarter-final rout of Barcelona.
Canada’s Player of the Year has faced stiff competition for regular minutes from returning FIFA World Cup winner Lucas Hernandez in 2020/21, and spent nearly two months on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but was back to his best on Bundesliga Matchday 13 as Bayern ended the calendar year with a table-topping 2-1 win over title rivals Bayer Leverkusen.
“They were pressing us high but we knew that we had to stay patient during the first half,” explained Davies, who had the in-form Leon Bailey in his pocket at the BayArena. “The second half we started attacking more and more, and I’m happy that ‘Lewangoalski’ can put one in again.”
Davies is a big fan of FIFA Best Men’s Player Lewandowski, who scored both goals in the come-from-behind triumph. Playing in front of FIFA Best goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has also been a real boon for his accelerated development.
“I’m learning from these two experienced players,” he revealed. “Lewandowski, the best player in the world right now. It’s amazing to learn from him, getting feedback from him. Manuel Neuer, a top keeper. You can’t take anything away from these guys. I just soak everything in and learn from them.”
