Davies named Canada captain ahead of Copa América
Alphonso Davies was named Canada captain on Monday ahead of the start of Copa América.
Davies captained Canada in a friendly against the Netherlands earlier this month. Stephen Eustáquio wore the armband against France, and he will now be the team's vice captain.
"Being named captain was a joy. I'm happy to be captain of this team. I'm very proud. I want to show my leadership on and off the pitch and try to lead in the right way," Davies said.
"He has a real presence and a gravity to his personality and to who he is," Canada coach Jesse Marsch said. "We know he's still young and that he's not a finished product as a captain, but I think the guys look up to him, that he's an inspiring leader.
"Phonzie will be a great representation for what this country will need in two years [at the World Cup], for what this national team needs, and I expect him to grow into it in a big way."
Davies, who grew up in Edmonton, is at 23 years old a four-time Canada Soccer Player of the Year and the holder of numerous other national awards, including youngest player to debut and score for Canada. A player for FC Bayern Munich, he has made 48 senior international appearances.
Eustáquio, a member of FC Porto, was named the most recent Canada Soccer Player of the year. He has featured 37 times for Canada's men's senior team.
The team will play its first match in Copa América against Argentina on Thursday.
"Playing Argentina, the World Cup champions, it's an incredible feeling knowing that we're gonna go play against the best players in the world," Davies said. "Definitely everyone is a bit anxious but we're ready for the fight."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad?
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader of the insurgency in Syria, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing to ties to al-Qaida.
A timeline of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the search for his killer
The search for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's has stretched beyond New York City and continues. Here's what we know so far.
Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible
Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as U.S. president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office.
Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip
Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend.
Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police
Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton.
Do you recognize these men? RCMP seek Metro Vancouver grandparent scam suspects
Mounties in Metro Vancouver have released photos of two men alleged to have been involved in “numerous” so-called grandparent scams earlier this year, hoping the public can help identify them.
Pantone names its colour of the year for 2025
Pantone has named an 'evocative soft brown' its colour of the year for 2025, continuing a tradition that has now run for more than a quarter of a century.
Trudeau says fall of Assad 'ends decades of brutal oppression' for Syria
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a new chapter for Syria can begin that's free of terrorism and suffering for its people.
Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media say
Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule.