Football General Manager
- Davies returns to running training after tearing ACL
- Injury sparked public dispute between Bayern and Canada
- Full-back is optimistic about his recovery
In a major step forward for his recovery, Davies has been cleared to return to running training at Bayern. This marks the first time the 24-year-old has been able to run since he sustained a serious cruciate ligament tear in his right knee while playing for the Canadian national team at the end of March. The positive development was a welcome surprise at the club, and Davies himself expressed his joy at the progress, saying: “I’m just happy to be back outside and running faster than five kilometers per hour.”
Davies’ injury was not just a blow for Bayern on the pitch, but it also led to a fiery off-field dispute. The Canadian left-back, a critical figure for Bayern, was sidelined after suffering the non-contact injury during a CONCACAF Nations League third-place playoff match against the United States. This came just three days after he had played a full semi-final and it was not until that the defender reached Munich that the severity of the injury was known. Bayern’s camp was deeply frustrated and alleged that the Canadian Football Association had been negligent in its use of the player and even hinted at legal action.
The controversy was further amplified by Davies’ importance to the squad. Prior to the injury, he was in excellent form, starting most of Bayern’s matches and extending his contract until 2030. His absence for the remainder of the season left a massive void in Bayern’s defence as they entered the final stages of the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Speaking to club media after his first running session, Davies said: “I tried running a little slower at first, but the coach told me to run a little faster. I was excited about that. But I know I have to take it step by step. I feel very good. It took a while, but now I’m just happy to be back outside and running faster than five kilometres per hour. In the first few months after the injury, I could only walk. Now being able to do a little jogging again definitely feels different.”
While he’s happy with his progress, Davies is aware that he must not rush his return as he reiterated on the same saying: “I’m someone who likes to run fast, but I know I have to remain patient.”
The road to complete recovery remains a long one for Davies, but his return to running is a major step. The best case scenario would see him make his comeback in November, but his recovery will be a step-by-step process. The focus now is on building up the muscles in his injured leg and ensuring his knee responds well to the increased physical load. With fellow long-term injured players like Hiroki Ito and Jamal Musiala also working on their rehabilitation, Davies has company on the path back to full fitness.
