Davies: Barcelona 'didn't want me because I was Canadian'

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munchen, Raphinha of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v Bayern Munchen at the Spotify Camp Nou on October 26, 2022 in Barcelona Spain
Soccrates Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies' citizenship seemingly prevented him from joining Barcelona.

While he was still with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Davies was linked with Barcelona, among other teams, and learned through the media that former club president Josep Bartomeu turned down a chance to sign him because he's Canadian.

"Barcelona actually reached out, but the president said that they didn't want me," Davies said on the "Say Less" podcast. "They said that they didn't want me because I was Canadian.

"Not gonna lie, that crushed my feelings a little bit."

Davies eventually linked up with another one of Europe's most revered clubs, joining Bayern Munich in January 2019.

The full-back has developed into an important player for Bayern and Canada in the five seasons since moving to Germany.

He's won the Bundesliga five times, as well as the Champions League in 2020, and led Canada to its first World Cup berth since 1986 last year.

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