'Very disappointed' - Alphonso Davies' agent critical of Canada boss Jesse Marsch, says Bayern Munich star was 'not 100 percent' for match in which he tore ACL

Canada and Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies sustained a torn ACL in the CONCACAF Nations League third-place game on Sunday against the U.S. men's national team in a difficult blow for club and country. The 24-year-old went down with the injury just 12 minutes into the match after playing all 90 minutes in their semifinal loss to Mexico just three days prior.

Speaking to OneSoccer, Davies' agent, Nedal Huoseh, claimed that the fullback was not initially set to start the match on Sunday due to a fitness issue stemming from the semifinals. However, he was named to the XI against the USMNT by Canada coach Jesse Marsch - and was injured early in the contest.

“I am very disappointed," Huoseh said. "Alphonso was not 100 percent after the Mexico game and it was planned that he was not going to start against the USA. On Saturday night the expectation was he would not be in the XI. As a captain I feel he was pressured to start the game by the coach. Alphonso is not the kind of guy to say no in those moments.

"He ended up playing and look what happened. Canada Soccer needs to do a better job managing these players, in my opinion. Alphonso is down and obviously really disappointed about this injury. Thankfully he is in wonderful hands with a world class group at Bayern who will take great care of him. He is expected to have the surgery within the next 24 hours.”

ESPN analyst and former U.S. international Herculez Gomez offered perspective on the comments from Davies' agent, claiming it's a "terrible look" for Marsch and the Les Rouges federation.

Davies will be sidelined for several months but is expected to make a full recovery. Fellow Bayern star Dayot Upamecano also had a knee injury during international duty with France, with Bayern releasing a statement on their star defenders.

"FC Bayern will be without Alphonso Davies for a lengthy period following the international break. Dayot Upamecano has also been ruled out for the coming weeks. Davies was diagnosed with a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee following his return from international duty with the Canadian national team and will undergo surgery today. The 24-year-old will not be available to play for the German record champions for several months. Upamecano was diagnosed with loose bodies in his left knee, which means he will not be available to FC Bayern for several weeks."

Davies will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

"Unfortunately, there's always the risk of players returning from international breaks with injuries - this time we've been hit particularly hard," Bayern sporting director Max Eberl added.

This is Davies' first serious injury in his professional career. He was previously sidelined for 85 days in early 2022 with heart problems, and just this past January, missed roughly a month due to a torn muscle fiber.

The 24-year-old will undergo surgery on Wednesday and is expected to make a full recovery. He will look to return to the pitch in the fall for the 2025-26 campaign.