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FRISCO, Texas –– As Canada’s Men’s National Team prepares for its critical Copa America qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday afternoon, Alphonso Davies says he proposed interim head coach Mauro Biello as a selection for the team’s captain.
“I told him to see me as one of the leaders, one of the guys who could wear the armband,” the 23-year-old Bayern Munich left-back told TSN on Thursday.
“Whoever [Biello] chooses, whoever thinks he has compatibility to lead this team, I’m happy and I’m sure everyone is too. But I just wanted to let him know that I’m in contention and I need to be in contention for the bracelet. “
Multiple sources told TSN earlier this week that Biello will hand over the captain’s armband for Saturday to midfielder Stephen Eustáquio.
But Davies insists the coach’s resolve may not be his preference to take on a more influential leadership role in a Canadian team that appears to have let in established veterans such as goalkeeper Milan Borjan, midfielder Junior Hoilett and defender Steven Vitoria.
“Football is a team sport. Bracelet or not, I’m going to play my game, try to motivate the team, motivate myself to play,” Davies said. “And in general, whatever happens, whether it’s the Cup, whether it’s [20]26 [World Cup], whoever gets the armband, I respect that. I’ll watch and respect them all, and I’ll keep playing.
In fact, Canada will want Davies to lead the way. After Canada’s November loss to Jamaica in Toronto, Biello will combine established and European league winning Canadian stars, such as Davies, Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan David, Alistair Johnston and Cyle Larin, with younger, more enthusiastic players, such as Theo Bair, Moses Bombito and Jacen Russell-Rowe.
“The loss to Jamaica is brutal, it takes a toll on each and every one of us,” Davies said of the loss that prevented Canada from qualifying for the Copa America. “As you can see, the coach has opted for a younger team this time. I think those guys are hungry, they’re fighting for a place. They know their position is not guaranteed and are fighting for every minute they have left to stay with the national team.
“Playing for your national team is one of the greatest accomplishments you can achieve as a player, and I feel like this team is going to overcome the barriers that the previous Canadian team couldn’t reach. “
Qualifying for the Copa America would be a new frontier for this team. Canada was invited to participate in the 2001 edition as a Gold Cup winner, but was unable to participate due to security and scheduling issues.
This time, Canada, qualified for the world’s oldest continental tournament, would open the tournament on June 20 against Lionel Messi and World Cup champions Argentina.
Davies smiled when asked how motivating it would be to play with Messi again.
Davies has had good luck at the club backing Messi: Davies and Bayern beat Messi and Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarterfinals at an unbiased venue in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, then Davies and Bayern beat Messi when Bayern beat Paris Saint. . -Germán in the circular of 16, 2023.
“If we qualify, we will play against the World Cup champions. It’s a big motivation for everybody,” Davies said. You have to go there, you have to give it your all and know that this team won the World Cup, you need to play your football to see how you compare to them.
“The [opening game in Atlanta on June 20] is sold out thanks to 80,000 more people and everyone will be on [Argentina’s] side. I think it’s a smart challenge, a smart motivation, and it’s also a smart pleasure to play unlike professional players like this and quality groups like this.