How he has evolved and what the future holds

Alphonso Davies won his fourth Bundesliga title on Saturday — his 11th piece of silverware at Bayern Munich since he joined the club in January 2019, a remarkable accomplishment by any measure. From arriving as an inexperienced but hugely promising left winger from Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps, he has developed into one of the world’s best defenders and a key player in Bayern Munich’s active dynasty of success.

Davies’ speed is frightening, but he’s far more than just a rapid wing-back. He has developed his all-court game to the extent he was recognised by FIFA in 2020 when he made their World XI. But this season has been tougher. He was adjusting to life under new coach Julian Nagelsmann — having previously thrived under Hansi Flick — and was starting every week, but then came the unexpected news that would force him to take some time away from the game.

After testing positive for COVID-19 during the winter break, the illness left him with inflamed heart muscles, a condition called myocarditis. Nagelsmann revealed the news in early January; the only cure was for Davies to stop playing. From someone who’s used to operating at eye-wateringly high speeds, he needed to keep his heart rate low. He had to slow down; by his own admission, Davies told ESPN he became a “couch potato,” watching his Canada teammates qualify for their first men’s World Cup in 36 years, and seeing Bayern Munich close in on their 10th straight Bundesliga title.

But on April 6, Davies returned to the pitch and when Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in Saturday’s Der Klassiker to confirm their title, Davies was playing left-back, flying up and down the wing like it was…