Built on years of interviews with friends, family, teachers, coaches, and teammates, the first biography of Alphonso Davies, the new face of Canadian men’s soccer

Arguably the most famous Canadian athlete on the planet, Alphonso Davies has been the subject of global attention after bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old soccer sensation. Since then, he’s won every trophy imaginable with German giant FC Bayern Munich and helped Canada reach the men’s World Cup for the first time in 36 years.

Based on years of original reporting and extensive interviews with his friends, family members, teachers, coaches, teammates, and others from his inner circle, Alphonso Davies: A New Hope paints a complete portrait of the soccer star. The first biography about “Phonzie” covers every angle of his life and career — from the harsh realities of growing up in a refugee camp amidst the Liberian Civil War, to the unique challenges of starting a new life in a foreign country, twice, to his trailblazing path as a Canadian megastar in the world’s most popular sport. Bringing together intimate details and never-before-told stories, author Farhan Devji pulls back the curtain on a person and player who has captured the hearts of a nation and become a shining light for refugees everywhere.

Farhan Devji's profile page

Farhan Devji is a multiplatform storyteller whose writing has appeared in the Edmonton Journal and Ottawa Citizen. As the former club reporter for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, he produced the award-winning documentary Becoming Canadian: The Alphonso Davies Story. A proud second-generation Canadian, Devji lives in Vancouver with his wife, Sarah.

“In many ways, Alphonso Davies’s life is the ultimate Canadian story. A refugee who came here with nothing and became one of Canada’s greatest and most beloved athletes. Farhan tells a beautiful tale that is about much more than soccer. ” — James Duthie, TSN host

“To understand how remarkable Alphonso Davies is today, you have to appreciate and understand his journey. This book, essential for those looking to do that, is full of momentous stories about his life on and off the pitch from those who know him the best. ” — Kristian Jack, leading Canadian soccer analyst

“This is one of the most incredible stories in Canada’s soccer history. The rise of Alphonso Davies has been expertly documented by Farhan, who brings stories to life of how Davies battled adversity to make it to his position on the global stage today. A wonderfully crafted read about an inspiring journey to stardom. ” — Luke Wileman, TSN soccer commentator and host

“The millions of viewers around the world who watch Bayern every week all know how special Canada’s Alphonso Davies is as a player. This book sheds new light on Davies the person and his amazing and inspirational story, while detailing how he became one of the foremost left backs in the world.” ― Derek Rae, lead ESPN Bundesliga commentator