For the second time in three years, Alphonso Davies has been named the 2020 Canadian Player of the Year, it was announced Thursday.
The former Vancouver Whitecaps Homegrown star and Bayern Munich standout fullback was named 2019-20 Bundesliga Rookie of the Season and was shortlisted as a nominee for the UEFA Team of the Year, the UEFA Defender of the Year, and Tuttosport’s prestigious Golden Boy Award for U-21 players.
Davies won five club trophies in a record-setting season, including his first UEFA Champions League title. Across the calendar year, he was part of FC Bayern’s streaks of 23 consecutive wins and 32 matches unbeaten.
“To see what Alphonso Davies has accomplished this year is awe inspiring for the next generation of players,” Canadian men's national team coach John Herdman said in a statement. “His achievements have raised the flag in our sport higher than anyone else in our lifetime on the men’s side of the game and he has helped put this country as a football country on the world map.
“Alphonso has to be commended for his passion and spirit with which he plays, but also for his ability to connect with people off the field. He is a real ambassador for our sport in Canada and on the global stage.”
Davies featured in 33 matches and scored two goals and six assists primarily as a left back. After missing a month through injury, Davies returned to first-team training Thursday.
Davies previously won the Canadian Players of the Year Award in 2018, the same year he made his historic move from the Whitecaps to Bayern Munich.
The Edmonton, Alberta native secured the highest voting score ever in a vote shared by Canadian media and coaches.
This is the 8th edition of the Canada Soccer Player Awards. Davies finished first in voting ahead of runner up Jonathan David and top-five finishers Scott Arfield, Richie Laryea from Toronto FC and, tied for fifth, both Atiba Hutchinson and Jonathan Osorio.
The co-winner of the Canadian Player of the Year award, a standout from the women's national team, will be announced Friday.
