“Alphonso Davies, a Ghana-born Liberian refugee who migrated to Canada, was one of the standout players in the just concluded Champions League tournament, which his team, Bayern Munich, won by beating Paris Saint Germain 1-0. Davies is only 19 and is being hailed as the best left back in the world. Defends well, has tremendous ball skills, and is a sensation when he moves with the ball from the back to the opponent’s box. I really enjoyed watching him in the tournament even though I wanted PSG to win”
The above quotation captures the depth of admiration for the soccer skills of emergent star, Alphonso Davies. The view was wrongly attributed to the BBC in an earlier version of this report. But whether it was correctly attributed to the sports enthusiast who actually wrote it or not, it is also true that global media is on him, narrating him commonly as a classic star: rising from a refugee camp to a global referent. In between, there are so many make or mar points but the gist is that he overcame. What he overcame is a matter of opinion but the references to refugee roots must sink to all reasonable observers as much as the site of stardom.
From The Independent comes a more detailed narrative. It goes as follows exactly as originally reported.
From somewhere to somewhere
Alphonso Davies says his story and rise to becoming a Champions League winner shows that greatness can be achieved “if you set your mind to it” after Bayern Munich‘s triumph in Lisbon.
The Bundesliga giants emerged as 1-0 victors over Paris St Germain on Sunday night, with Kingsley Coman netting the winner.
Davies was his usual attacking self from left-back, an outlet for Bayern and a relentless runner down the flank, earning himself a third winner’s medal of the campaign and a first Champions League trophy after just eight games in the competition.
Deciding what to do with success?
Speaking to BT Sport after the game he praised the team around him, while acknowledging that his journey from a refugee camp in Ghana, to senior football in Canada and then his move to Germany was a story that others could take inspiration from.
“Coming to Europe and winning the Champions League with a great club like Bayern is everything I can ask for,” he said.
“It shows the team I have around me, helping me every time I play; they play really well in the Champions League and being able to play here is amazing for me.
“My story, it just goes to show if you set your mind to it you can do anything. I’m happy to have the medal around my neck and the trophy by my side.”
Davies further explained how the young talent coming through at the club were emerging into a culture of winning, which in turn upped the desire in the youngsters to keep the success coming.
“Coming to this club we know that legends won the titles before and, as a kid coming in, you want to keep the tradition going.
“Every young player is hungry to win titles because they’ve seen their idols do it.”
