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.



Barrios Scores Twice, Atletico Madrid Beats Seattle Sounders 3-1 in Club World Cup 

Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios celebrates scoring his side's opening goal as teammate Koke, right, looks on during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between Seattle Sounders and Atletico Madrid in Seattle, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP)
Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios celebrates scoring his side's opening goal as teammate Koke, right, looks on during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between Seattle Sounders and Atletico Madrid in Seattle, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP)
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Barrios Scores Twice, Atletico Madrid Beats Seattle Sounders 3-1 in Club World Cup 

Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios celebrates scoring his side's opening goal as teammate Koke, right, looks on during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between Seattle Sounders and Atletico Madrid in Seattle, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP)
Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios celebrates scoring his side's opening goal as teammate Koke, right, looks on during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between Seattle Sounders and Atletico Madrid in Seattle, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP)

Pablo Barrios scored twice and Atletico Madrid beat the Seattle Sounders 3-1 on Thursday in the Club World Cup.

Giuliano Simeone found Barrios at the top of the penalty box in transition to open the scoring in the 11th minute.

Madrid pushed the lead to 2-0 in the opening minutes of the second half as substitute Axel Witsel scored off an assist by Robin Le Normand in the 47th.

Albert Rusnak got Seattle on the scoreboard in the 50th, but Barrios got his second of the game in the 55th to restore Madrid's two-goal lead.

The attendance was 51,636 at Lumen Field, which has a capacity of 68,740.

Atletico Madrid was initially awarded a penalty kick around the 35th minute, but it was overturned after video review determined that the foul occurred outside the box.

“The players showed courage today. I mean, they were down, and they were able to come back and still fight and play brave. You know Atletico’s strength is in their transition, their counterattacks, but we weren’t afraid to attack. And that opened us up a few times, but at the end of the day, the players played to win, and that was courage,” said Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer.

“The most difficult thing in football is creating chances. We created many opportunities today, but weren’t fortunate enough to score more goals. But that’s in the past now, and we’re already focusing on Botafogo. We will need to do as well or better than today. We want to qualify for the knockout stage, so we need to keep winning,” said Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke.