What Happened to Giovanni Alejandro Reyna?

Giovanni Reyna, born on November 13, 2002, in Sunderland, England, to former USMNT captain Claudio Reyna and USWNT player Danielle Egan Reyna, was destined for a career in soccer. He began his youth career with New York City FC before joining Borussia Dortmund's academy in 2019. Reyna quickly made a name for himself, making his senior debut for Dortmund in January 2020 at just 17 years old, becoming the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga. He further broke records by becoming the youngest goal-scorer in DFB-Pokal history in February 2020 and the youngest Bundesliga player to record three assists in a single match in October 2020. His impressive performances led to his USMNT debut in November 2020, where he scored his first international goal shortly after.

However, Reyna's promising trajectory was significantly impacted by recurring injuries, particularly hamstring issues, which limited his appearances and consistency during the 2021-2023 seasons. This period culminated in a highly publicized controversy during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Reyna's perceived lack of effort and attitude issues led to a dispute between his family and then-USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, which became public and created a challenging environment for the young player. Despite the off-field issues, Reyna continued to show flashes of his talent when fit, contributing to the USMNT's CONCACAF Nations League triumphs.

Seeking more consistent playing time and a fresh start, Reyna extended his contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2026 but was subsequently loaned to Premier League club Nottingham Forest for the remainder of the 2023-24 season in January 2024. His time at Forest saw limited impact, and he returned to Dortmund without scoring a goal for either club that season. This period underscored the need for a permanent move to reignite his club career.

In August 2025, Reyna made a permanent move to Bundesliga rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach for a reported €7 million, signing a contract until 2028. This transfer was seen as a crucial step for his career resurgence, offering a new environment and the opportunity to play alongside close friend and USMNT teammate Joe Scally. While his debut season at Gladbach in 2025-26 was still hampered by injuries and inconsistent minutes, he scored his first goal for the club in May 2026.

As of July 2, 2026, Reyna has successfully re-integrated into the USMNT under coach Mauricio Pochettino and was named to the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted on home soil. He has already made a significant impact in the tournament, scoring a trivela goal in the 4-1 opening win against Paraguay on June 12, 2026. Reyna continues to be a vital creative midfielder for the national team, known for his vision and technical ability, and is looking to leave the past controversies behind as he aims for a successful World Cup campaign.