Canadian superstar Alphonso Davies revealed that he was snubbed by Spanish giants FC Barcelona before he made his move to Bayern Munich.
While he was still playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer, Davies attracted interest from major European clubs, including Barcelona. He however joined Bayern in 2019, for a then-record fee of $22m for an MLS player.
Since then, the Canadian international has become one of the best full-backs in the world, winning five Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokals, and one UEFA Champions League during his time with the Bavarian club.
But Davies told the Say Less Podcast that though he was approached by Barcelona, the club’s former President Josep Bartomeu wasn’t interested because he’s Canadian. He admitted that that he is only basing that assessment on media reports, rather than actual contact from Barca.
The Canadian star said;
“Barcelona approached me, but the president (Bartomeu) said they didn’t want me because I was Canadian.
“I’m not going to lie to you, that hurt my feelings a little bit. That I was Canadian was being said in the press. I don’t know if he actually said it, but it was being said.”
On what it feels like being a footballer, Davies said;
“Life as a professional footballer is very cool, no doubt. You can chill and enjoy life, but, after training, there’s nothing to do. For me, because I don’t have a family and my girlfriend is not living with me, I’m by myself. It’s a little bit worrying not having something to do and especially when all your friends have work. I probably have like five friends. I’m a popular loser.”
Davies, who is currently being linked with Real Madrid and Manchester City, has taken in over 150 appearances for Bayern, scoring eight goals.
The footballer’s focus is now on the Canadian men’s national team where he will play in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal. The Canadians are set to take on Panama at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on June 15 in a chase for a first men’s continental trophy since 2000.
