Bayern’s Davies Feared He Might Not Play Again Due to Heart Problem

19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)
19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)
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Bayern’s Davies Feared He Might Not Play Again Due to Heart Problem

19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)
19 July 2022, US, Washington: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies attends a press conference during the team's tour in the United States of America. (dpa)

Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies feared he might not play again after doctors were unable to give him a timeline for his return when he was sidelined by a heart problem last season.

The 21-year-old was diagnosed with a minor heart condition in January following a COVID-19 infection in December, and did not play in a competitive game for Bayern until April. He also missed out on Canada's CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

"That was very scary, especially (because) the doctors are saying that they don't know how long I was supposed to be out," Davies told ESPN on Tuesday. "I think that was the scariest part.

"At that time I had doubts in my head, whether I'm still going to be able to play football, but everything worked out at the end. I'm happy and I'm grateful to the doctor for taking such good care of me.

"I'm happy that I can be back on the pitch."

Looking ahead to the coming season, Davies said Bayern will miss striker Robert Lewandowski, who joined LaLiga side Barcelona this week, but added that the signing of Sadio Mane from Liverpool will help fill the void left by the Polish striker.

"(Mane) is a good player, he's a big piece to (add to) the team," Davies said. "So we're excited to have him and we're looking forward to what he can bring to this team.

"An important piece left, but also an important piece arrived."

Bayern, who won the Bundesliga for a 10th straight time, kick off their league campaign on Aug. 5 with a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.



Brazilian Club Botafogo Hires Son of Carlo Ancelotti as Its Manager

Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)
Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)
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Brazilian Club Botafogo Hires Son of Carlo Ancelotti as Its Manager

Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)
Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)

Brazilian club Botafogo has hired the son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti as its new manager.

The 35-year-old Davide Ancelotti was handed a contract through 2026 to take up his first full-time coaching job after Botafogo owner John Textor fired Renato Paiva following the team’s round-of-16 elimination at the Club World Cup.

The Italian has worked for more than a decade alongside his father in different roles at Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid. He is also part of Ancelotti's staff at Brazil.

Botafogo is the defending Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champion. Textor recently said he wanted his team to adopt a more attacking style of play.

Brazil's soccer confederation said in a statement that Davide Ancelotti's deal with Botafogo allows him to continue working with the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The younger Ancelotti is expected to make his debut on Saturday against Vasco da Gama in a Brazilian league match.