Alphonso Davies has enjoyed a strong start to the 2024/25 season and is now one of Bayern Munich's most established stars. bundesliga.com spoke to the Canada international about his hopes of winning back the title, his thoughts on head coach Vincent Kompany and teammate Jamal Musiala, and much more...

bundesliga.com: Your first game of the year is at Borussia Mönchengladbach, a team that has often caused you problems in the past. What makes this game so interesting, especially after the winter break? Does a pause from the action take away the rhythm that you had?

Alphonso Davies: "I think it was a much easier break for most of the guys with the tight schedule we had the last year. Against Gladbach, who are a good team, right after being away from playing football for 10 days, we know it’s going to be a tough game. However, we know that we have to find our rhythm as quickly as possible. But overall, we know we’re going to go into that game with the same mindset we had in every single game we played last year."

bundesliga.com: Last term, you and the team missed out on the title after years of dominance in the Bundesliga, making this the first campaign in which you haven't been playing for the reigning German champions. How did you personally handle last year's disappointment?

Davies: "I knew Bayern were a top team before even signing here. Missing the trophy last year was tough. It was tough on everyone. I think it was the first time most of the guys experienced it. This year, we’re hungrier than we were before. We know that we can’t underestimate anybody. Last year shows that. Each and every game is important. It’s important to get the three points, important to put in a good performance and get back to our winning ways. It hurt a little bit, for sure. We’re definitely looking to come back stronger this year."

bundesliga.com: You've now spent six months playing under Vincent Kompany. How has your game personally changed under him? How have you benefitted from his experience, especially with him having been a top-tier defender himself? What does he demand from you?

Davies: "When he first came, we had a sit-down. He asked me what my goals are, what I want to be remembered for in football. Obviously one thing I told him was my defending. Naturally I’m not a defender and I am still learning the role after all these years. He came in with the idea of how to defend, and he really worked on it with the defenders. At the moment, the team is playing really well. Him coming in was a good move for us. And he comes in with the mindset of winning trophies - we have the same mindset as well."

Davies (r.) has been one of the first names on the team sheet for Vincent Kompany (l.) since the Belgian's arrival. - IMAGO/Laci Perenyi

bundesliga.com: Speaking about defenders, Minjae Kim and Dayot Upamecano have been dominant at the heart of Bayern's back four. What do you like in particular about this pairing?

Davies: "I think both of them are incredible players. You see what Min-jae’s doing in the back line alongside Upa. I think our back line is stronger than it’s ever been. We’re playing great football, we’re communicating more, we take pride in not just our attackers scoring but also us defenders defending as well, and trying to get clean sheets. We’re very proud of that. Also, Joshua Kimmich is outstanding, he’s playing great football. He’s dictating the middle, playing hard and seeing the smart passes. I think everybody in the team knows how valuable they are. They’re showing their quality week-in, week-out."

bundesliga.com: Another one of your teammates, Jamal Musiala, is playing an amazing season too. What makes him so valuable to the team?

Davies: "I think his mindset and not having the fear to do what he needs to do on the pitch. When you see Jamal dribbling past three or four guys, it’s amazing to watch. But he needs his teammates to help him with that, and that’s what we’re doing. We just want him to express himself, to be Jamal Musiala. We’re not trying to change him, not trying to replicate his game or change his game. We’re just trying to let him do what he does on the pitch as always."

bundesliga.com: We get the impression that you guys also get along pretty well off the pitch. What kind of guy is he? In what situations are you on the same wavelength?

Davies: "I don’t know... Maybe when it comes to music taste we’re on the same wavelength. Just being able to relate to each other on a different level is very special. I mean, he’s still young. He’s still learning. Obviously I look at him like a little brother and I think he looks at me as a big brother. We just have a dynamic that’s really good."             

Musiala and Davies (l-r.) have a good connection both on and off the pitch. - IMAGO/Michael Weber IMAGEPOWER

About the players

19

Alphonso Boyle

Davies

FC Bayern München

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bundesliga.com: This season, you have the added incentive of a potential final at home in the UEFA Champions League. What would that mean for you personally to be able to play in that final here in the city? And what are your chances as a team of being there?

Davies: "It would mean a lot. Who doesn’t want to play a Champions League final at their home stadium? I know for a fact that the fans would love it, and we would also love it. But to make it there is going to be tough, and we know that. We have the team chemistry and the motivation to make it. Making it would mean a lot to everybody. And obviously winning it at home would be… I don’t know how to describe it because I haven’t been there yet, so hopefully next time we sit down I can tell you guys how it felt, if or when we lift the trophy at home."

bundesliga.com: When you first arrived at Bayern a few years ago, you said that Lionel Messi was your role model when you were younger. Which players – or people in general – inspire you today? It doesn’t have to be footballers, or athletes even.

Davies: "Being a footballer, I did say Messi back then, and he still is. But as time goes on, you get older and you start looking at different people, different players, different sports. Still, right now, I don’t think I have a specific role model. I could list you three or four, but not a specific one. I like Kyrie Irving, his mindset and his basketball skills. I don’t know him personally, but from what I’ve seen, I think he’s a nice guy. Luka Dončić is another. I went to go watch the Dallas Mavericks play and I saw how he is with his teammates, how he got the crowd going."

bundesliga.com: We’ve come to know you as a very active and entertaining guy, not only on the field but also on social media. Why is it important for you to entertain your fans online? And what actually entertains you on TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, etc.?

Davies: "When I was watching sport while growing up, I enjoyed seeing players being funny behind the scenes. I know that they’re good footballers, good basketball players, but the human characteristics about them really draw you to become a fan of a player. I try to show my character on social media as much as possible. I don’t want people to just say Phonzy Davies is a footballer. I want them to relate with me as Alphonso Davies the human being, the person."

About the clubs

FC Bayern München

Allianz Arena