Bayern Munich teenager Alphonso Davies is an exciting talent Marcel Desailly would like to see playing in the Premier League or LaLiga.
Davies, 19, enjoyed a breakout 2019-20 campaign with Bayern, establishing himself as one of the best left-backs in Europe as the club sealed a Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League treble.
It capped a remarkable journey from being born in a refugee camp in Ghana after his parents fled their native Liberia during the country's second civil war.
Davies moved to Canada with his family and attained citizenship in 2017, with two-time Champions League winner Desailly, who was born in Ghana but lifted the World Cup with France in 1998, saying the Bayern star's career shows "miracles can happen".
And although the Canada international has a contract with Bayern until 2025, Desailly would like to see him test himself in England or Spain.
"Yes, it's a long journey, but that is one of the great things about sport. It can change lives and miracles can happen," said Desailly, speaking on behalf of Laureus Sport for Good.
"Few will ever achieve what he did in Lisbon, but it is a wonderful inspiration to all young people wherever they are to give them hope and give them a dream of better things ahead.
"My experience was not exactly the same as Alphonso, but, like him, it started as a young child in Ghana. He went to Canada, I went to France. Football changed our lives.
"Alphonso's performance in the Champions League for Bayern was amazing for someone just 19. The Bundesliga are lucky to have him. He is such an exciting talent, I would love to see him play in the English Premier League or LaLiga."
What a season it has been #AD19 pic.twitter.com/10rHT4y9J1
— Alphonso Davies (@AlphonsoDavies) August 25, 2020
Desailly has relished being able to work with Laureus Sport for Good to try to help disadvantaged youngsters in Ghana.
He said: "In Ghana, my country of origin, Laureus helped an orphanage where we built some sport infrastructure and you can see that this opened up the mind of the kids.
"Most of the kids have been under shock because of prostitution, violence and problems they have and suddenly sports allow them to be more open and we can understand their need."
