'The hardest part is behind me' - Alphonso Davies nears comeback as Bayern Munich star opens up on 'mentally difficult' ACL injury

Davies has offered a positive update on his recovery from the devastating ACL injury earlier this year. The Bayern Munich and Canada star tore his anterior cruciate ligament and suffered cartilage damage in his right knee during March’s CONCACAF Nations League third-place playoff against the United States. The 23-year-old underwent surgery and was expected to be sidelined for six to eight months, missing a significant portion of Bayern’s campaign.

Davies has since returned to individual running and light training sessions at Bayern’s Sabener Strasse base. “I’m running and training well. I just need to put a bit more muscle mass on my right leg,” he said, while expressing optimism about his steady progress. “When the doctors told me after the injury how long it might take, I thought, ‘Oh wow, it’s going to be a long journey.’ But now everything is looking good.”

The left-back also revealed that he’s focused on returning safely rather than rushing back to the pitch. “There’s no point letting myself get down, complaining, or feeling sorry for myself. Injuries like these are part of the sport. The only thing I can do now is fight my way back — not as quickly, but as safely as possible.”

For Davies, the recovery has been about more than just physical rehabilitation — it has tested his mental strength and patience. He admitted that the process has been “more difficult mentally than physically,” reflecting on the psychological toll of long-term injury recovery. “The muscles will come back on their own,” he explained. “But not knowing how long you’ll be out and whether you’ll be able to do certain things – that’s tough.”

Davies described how repetitive rehab routines and uncertainty have challenged both his body and mind. “In rehab, you work on different areas over and over again, which puts a strain on your mind and challenges your body,” he said. “Sometimes your body says, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore.’ Then you have to be mentally strong. That’s the only way to make it. If you don’t do it yourself, no one else will.”

He also credited the presence of teammates Jamal Musiala and Hiroki Ito, who were going through their own recovery programs, for helping him stay positive. “We see each other every day and try to keep each other motivated. It helps when you have good people around you.” For Davies, this mutual support system has made a difficult journey more bearable — and reinforced his determination to come back stronger.

Since undergoing surgery, Davies’ rehabilitation has followed a gradual, closely monitored plan designed by Bayern Munich’s medical and conditioning staff. The early stages involved stability and strength exercises before progressing to controlled movement and agility work. By early October — roughly 200 days after his injury — the Canadian had advanced to light ball work and jogging, marking a significant milestone in his comeback.

Throughout the process, Bayern’s medical team have emphasised patience, ensuring that Davies rebuilds the muscle strength in his right leg without compromising long-term health. The Bavarians are acutely aware of the risks associated with rushing an ACL return, particularly for a player whose explosive speed and balance are crucial to his game. Davies’ commitment to following every stage meticulously has drawn praise within the club for his professionalism and focus.

While Bayern Munich have not provided a confirmed return date, there is optimism that Davies could rejoin full team training before the end of the year. His reintegration is expected to be gradual, with a focus on controlled minutes before reclaiming his role as Bayern’s first-choice left-back. Both player and club are aligned in prioritising long-term stability over short-term gains.

Davies’ words reflect that balance between caution and excitement. “The future looks good; the hardest part of rehab is now behind me,” he said. “I’m excited and looking forward to rejoining the team and playing the sport I love. I can hardly wait to be on the pitch with my teammates, to help them win games, and to fight for our goals.”