Double Injury Blow for Bayern as Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano Both Sidelined

France's defender #04 Dayot Upamecano celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the penalty-shoot out during the UEFA Nations League quarter-final second-leg football match between France and Croatia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on March 23, 2025. (AFP)
France's defender #04 Dayot Upamecano celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the penalty-shoot out during the UEFA Nations League quarter-final second-leg football match between France and Croatia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on March 23, 2025. (AFP)
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Double Injury Blow for Bayern as Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano Both Sidelined

France's defender #04 Dayot Upamecano celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the penalty-shoot out during the UEFA Nations League quarter-final second-leg football match between France and Croatia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on March 23, 2025. (AFP)
France's defender #04 Dayot Upamecano celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the penalty-shoot out during the UEFA Nations League quarter-final second-leg football match between France and Croatia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on March 23, 2025. (AFP)

Bayern Munich has been left without two of its top defenders after Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano both picked up serious injuries on international duty.

Davies' season seems to be over after he tore a cruciate ligament in his right knee, Bayern said. The left back was injured while playing for Canada against the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Bayern predicted central defender Upamecano will be out for “several weeks” with a problem in his left knee following his return from playing both legs of France's quarterfinal win over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.

“In international breaks there is unfortunately always a danger that players come back injured, and this time it has hit us especially hard,” Bayern's board member for sport Max Eberl said. “The absences of Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano weigh heavily on FC Bayern.”

Bayern next plays St. Pauli in the Bundesliga on Saturday and faces Inter Milan in the quarterfinals of the Champions League next month.



Messi's Bodyguard Banned from Touchline at Inter Miami Games

Soccer Football - Friendly - Hong Kong v Inter Miami - Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong - February 4, 2024 Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and teammates sit on the substitute bench during the match as Lionel Messi security guard Yassine Cheuko looks on REUTERS/Lam Yik/File Photo
Soccer Football - Friendly - Hong Kong v Inter Miami - Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong - February 4, 2024 Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and teammates sit on the substitute bench during the match as Lionel Messi security guard Yassine Cheuko looks on REUTERS/Lam Yik/File Photo
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Messi's Bodyguard Banned from Touchline at Inter Miami Games

Soccer Football - Friendly - Hong Kong v Inter Miami - Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong - February 4, 2024 Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and teammates sit on the substitute bench during the match as Lionel Messi security guard Yassine Cheuko looks on REUTERS/Lam Yik/File Photo
Soccer Football - Friendly - Hong Kong v Inter Miami - Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong - February 4, 2024 Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and teammates sit on the substitute bench during the match as Lionel Messi security guard Yassine Cheuko looks on REUTERS/Lam Yik/File Photo

Lionel Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has been banned from protecting the Argentine forward from the touchline during Inter Miami matches.

The former Navy SEAL gained widespread recognition after social media videos showed him closely watching the crowd to stop potential pitch invaders from harming the eight-times Ballon d'Or winner, Reuters reported.

Major League Soccer has now decided to take full control of matchday security and Cheuko will only be permitted in the locker room and mixed zones.

"They don't allow me to be on the field anymore," the bodyguard told Spanish media.

"I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. I came to the USA and in just 20 months 16 people have already done so. There's a huge problem here, let me help Messi."