Alphonso Davies Chooses Honeymoon Over Canada Friendlies

Alphonso Davies has traded a Canada camp for a Paris honeymoon – with the full backing of his national-team coach.

Between the World Cup and the start of pre-season at Bayern Munich, the 25-year-old married his partner Sheyenne Jen in the French capital on 23 July. The newlyweds now plan to take a trip together, and Canada’s captain will sit out the three upcoming friendlies against Chile, Peru and the USA.

There is no feud, no stand-off. Just a calculated decision.

Coach Jesse Marsch made it clear this was agreed on all sides. “We talked about whether he should spend half of the training camp on his honeymoon and then join us,” Marsch said. “But I simply felt that it was important for him to enjoy his honeymoon first and then continue working on his physical condition and form.”

A body pushed to the limit

The choice comes after a brutal spell for Davies.

He tore his cruciate ligament at the start of 2025 while on duty with Canada and missed three quarters of the year. When he finally returned, more problems followed. Recurring health issues disrupted any rhythm, and a muscle fibre tear ruled him out for Bayern in the closing stages of last season.

For Canada, the timing was cruel. At the long-awaited home World Cup, their marquee star managed just 16 minutes.

Form returns in Munich

Back in Munich, Davies initially worked alone, still feeling the effects of his injuries. The rebuild was slow, deliberate.

Then the spark returned.

Recently, he hit a standout goal in Bayern’s 5-0 win over FK Bodö/Glimt, a reminder of the explosive left-back who once tore through defences for fun. His performances have sharpened, his fitness has picked up, and the mood around him has shifted from concern to optimism.

Marsch sees it too.

“He is playing really well, looks very fit and feels very good,” the Canada boss said. “That is why we wanted to make sure in every respect that in November, when we need him for some important matches, and then in March as well as throughout the entire next cycle, he is so well prepared in every respect that he can always fully commit himself to what we expect from him for the national team.”

Short-term friendlies sacrificed. Long-term leader protected.

Club duties first, country later

For now, Bayern take centre stage. Davies is set to face Union Berlin in Munich on Friday, with his next club assignment not until 10 October away at Augsburg.

Canada will have to manage without their captain against Chile, Peru and the USA. The real question sits beyond those dates: after a honeymoon, a reset and a careful build-up, how much stronger will Alphonso Davies be when the matches truly start to matter again?