Real Madrid has always identified politically as a right-wing club for its links to certain politicians.
But on the field, “Los Blancos” are also left-wing because they have always liked a frenetic left-back.
Real Madrid desires a kind of omnipresent gazelle who runs back and forth non-stop on the left side, erupting from nowhere on the offensive side to wow the crowd.
The Blancos need someone who continues the left-back saga of Brazilian showmen Roberto Carlos and Marcelo, given that Freddy Mendy has not filled the void left by Marcelo’s exit in 2022.
It seems Brazilian-style Canadian star Alphonso Davies, who is nicknamed “Roadrunner,” is meant to be the man.
Davies, currently playing with Bayern Munich in Germany, is increasingly likely to be a Real Madrid player next season with the expectation of an imminent agreement between the Canadian and Spanish clubs.
The 23-year-old left-back finishes his contract in 2025, and he has not signed the extension offered by the German club.
Pepe Gil-Vernet, a Real Madrid beat reporter in the Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, said it is very probable Davies will wear Real’s white in the 2024-2025 season.
“Real Madrid say the signing is bespoken, they take it for granted. Now the ball is in Bayern’s court,” he said.
“Bayern doesn’t want to let go Davies for free next year at the end of his contract and the most likely scenario is that Bayern will put him in the market for Real Madrid to sign him. That way Bayern can get fees for him. The signing is on track,” said Gil-Vernet, who said the Blancos could pay between €40 million and €50 million for him.
Davies has made a name for himself in Munich. The German club incorporated the defender into his youth teams in 2018, when he was playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
The Ghana-born left-back was part of the squad that won the 2020 Champions League to emerge as the current face of Canadian soccer. He became the first player from the country who lifted the most important club title in the most global sport.
Davies, who also can play left-wing, enjoys a relevant role by playing starter in most games this season, but Gil-Vernet said there are more reasons to believe the left-back and Bayern are about to break up.
“Bayern offered him a renovation bid but Davies got angry because the club told him [it] was an ultimatum. In addition, he is not at ease because Bayern faces unknowns like who is going to be the general manager and the coach next year,” Gil-Vernet said.
“He also wants to get paid more but Bayern is not willing to give him more money as his performance has declined in the last year and a half,” he said.
The Real Madrid specialist also said Los Blancos are looking for a more offensive left-back.
“Real’s coaches are satisfied with the current starter left-back, Freddy Mendy. He is very good defensively, but the club wants a more offensive profile. Davies reminds me of Roberto Carlos for his athleticism,” Gil-Vernet said.
At only 23 years old but already consolidated as a first-level player, Alphonso Davies might have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity since he could own the left wing of the best football club in history.
In addition, for Canada, having its star playing in Real Madrid could be an important boost approaching the 2026 World Cup.
Davies and Real Madrid make the perfect fit. The Roadrunner must speed up his journey towards the Spanish capital.