For a World Cup comeback: Fitness guru helped Bayern star Davies get back in shape | OneFootball

Alphonso Davies’ return to the soccer field is one of the feel-good stories of this World Cup from FC Bayern’s perspective. The Canadian made his comeback in the Round of 16. It was a return he had worked toward long and hard. 

The reward came quickly: In Canada’s first knockout match at a World Cup, the co-hosts advanced to the Round of 16. There, the Canadian team will face Morocco.

It’s safe to assume that Davies will see more playing time there than he did in the match against South Africa. The left-footed player is on the mend, so to speak, in terms of his physical fitness.

Davies completed specialized rehabilitation training

After his serious muscle injury at the end of the season, it was initially unclear whether the Bayern star would even be fit enough to participate in the World Cup .Coach Jesse Marsch took the risk, even bluffing by starting Davies in the group stage. 

Photo: Getty Images

Matthias Blankenburg played a key role in ensuring that Davies could play in the World Cup. According to a BILD report, the “fitness guru” from Germany traveled all the way from Germany to North America specifically to work with Davies on a special rehab plan at the Canadian training camp. The focus was on stabilization and ensuring that the player wouldn’t get injured again once he was back in shape.

All of this took place in close consultation with FC Bayern. The record champions had made this a condition beforehand, after there had already been communication issues with the Canadian federation regarding the cruciate ligament tear in 2025.

The risk with Davies was avoided thanks to the specialized rehabilitation program. This is good news for the federation, for Davies himself, and of course for FC Bayern as well. The record champions could really use a fit Davies.

And although Nathaniel Brown is on his way to Munich, a transfer of Davies this summer will not be forced. However, FC Bayern would at least consider it if a suitable, high offer were to come along.