The dispute surrounding Alphonso Davies’s knee injury eased on Thursday following a conciliatory statement from the agent of the Canadian team’s captain. After Bayern Munich revealed on Wednesday that Davies had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear during Canada’s victory over the U.S. in the CONCACAF Nations League third-place match, agent Nedal Huoseh raised concerns by indicating that Davies was not fully fit after the Mexico game and felt pressured to play against the U.S.
Huoseh suggested that Canada Soccer needed to improve player management. Paulo Senra, Canada Soccer’s chief communications officer, refuted these claims, emphasizing the professionalism and focus on player safety of the coaching staff and medical team.
In a social media post, Huoseh expressed a more diplomatic perspective, noting positive discussions with coach Jesse Marsch to ensure alignment in prioritizing Davies’s recovery. Davies left the match early, clutching his knee after an awkward fall during a challenge in the penalty box.
The injury, occurring well ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which Canada is hosting, is expected to sideline Davies for an extended period following knee surgery. Bayern Munich did not specify a return timeline but confirmed his absence for several months.
Canada’s upcoming fixtures include the Canadian Shield tournament in June, with Davies unlikely to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup due to Bayern Munich’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup.
