Bayern Munich’s Canadian midfielder Alphonso Davies. AFP
Doha: Canada star Alphonso Davies’ participation at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is “not at risk” according to the 22-year-old’s club Bayern Munich. Davies pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury in the second half of Bayern’s Bundesliga match against Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
In a statement yesterday, the German champions said, “FC Bayern will be without Alphonso Davies for the two remaining Bundesliga games before the winter break.”
“The 22-year-old full-back suffered a hamstring strain in the 3-2 win at Hertha BSC on Saturday. The diagnosis was confirmed by the German record champions’ medical unit. The Canada international’s participation in the World Cup in Qatar is not at risk,” the statement read.
Davies has 12 goals in 35 games for Canada and is the team’s most popular talent as the team heads into their first World Cup in 36 years. The news of him not being at risk of participating in the World Cup will be a boost for John Herdman ahead of his final list of players for the tournament.
The latest injury comes a month after Davies was taken to hospital after receiving a kick to the face against rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Davies had in January suffered a health scare when he was diagnosed with a minor heart condition after suffering from a bout of COVID-19. The pacy left back only returned in April and missed out on Canada’s World Cup qualifiers.
Canada, ranked 41st in the world, open its World Cup campaign on November 23 against world number two Belgium in Group F. They also play Croatia on November 27 and Morocco on December 1.
Canada recently announced it would play Bahrain in a friendly on November 11 in a series of preparation games ahead of Qatar 2022. The North Americans will reportedly play fellow World Cup finalists Japan in Dubai on November 17.
Meanwhile, England’s injury woes continue to pile on as Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin limped off on Saturday against Leicester City. In-form Newcastle forward Callum Wilson was substituted yesterday during the break against Southampton. Wilson had been touted to make Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man list for the World Cup due to his recent run of form.
Notable England absentees are Reece James, Kyle Walker, Kalvin Philips, and Ben Chilwell.
Meanwhile, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi missed Paris Saint-Germain’s win over Lorient on Saturday and will not be available for their last Ligue 1 match against Auxerre on November 13. The Argentine is reportedly out with an inflamed Achilles tendon.
