What Happened to Giovanni Alejandro Reyna?
Giovanni Reyna is an American professional soccer player who rose through the ranks at Borussia Dortmund before a loan spell at Nottingham Forest and a permanent move to Borussia Mönchengladbach in August 2025. Despite battling injuries and inconsistent playing time, he remains a key creative midfielder for the United States Men's National Team, earning a spot on the 2026 FIFA World Cup roster and scoring his first goal for Gladbach in May 2026.
Quick Answer
Giovanni Reyna currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach, having joined permanently in August 2025 after a loan spell at Nottingham Forest. He scored his first goal for Gladbach in May 2026 and has been named to the United States Men's National Team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he is expected to be a key creative player. Reyna continues to overcome past injury struggles and a highly publicized dispute during the 2022 World Cup to establish himself as a vital international talent.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Joins New York City FC Academy
Giovanni Reyna began his youth career by joining the New York City FC academy at the age of 12.
Moves to Borussia Dortmund
Reyna moved to Germany to join the youth setup of Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
Borussia Dortmund Senior Debut
Reyna made his senior debut for Borussia Dortmund in a Bundesliga match against FC Augsburg, becoming the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga at the time.
Youngest DFB-Pokal Scorer
During the 2019-20 DFB-Pokal season, Reyna became the youngest scorer in the German Cup's history at the age of 17.
Bundesliga Assist Record
Reyna became the first 17-year-old to record three assists in a single Bundesliga match during a 4-0 win against SC Freiburg.
USMNT Senior Debut
Reyna made his debut for the United States Men's National Team against Wales, becoming one of the youngest players in two decades to feature in a senior match.
Wins DFB-Pokal with Dortmund
Reyna was part of the Borussia Dortmund squad that defeated RB Leipzig 4-1 in the DFB-Pokal Final, marking his first major club trophy.
2022 FIFA World Cup Participation and Controversy
Reyna was a member of the USMNT squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but his limited playing time led to a public dispute between his family and coach Gregg Berhalter.
Loan to Nottingham Forest
Reyna extended his contract with Borussia Dortmund until June 2026 and was subsequently loaned to Premier League club Nottingham Forest until the end of the 2023-24 season.
Wins CONCACAF Nations League
Reyna played a crucial role in the USMNT's CONCACAF Nations League victory, scoring a brace in the 4-2 semi-final win against Jamaica.
Permanent Transfer to Borussia Mönchengladbach
Reyna completed a permanent move from Borussia Dortmund to fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach, signing a contract until June 2028 for approximately €7 million.
First Goal for Borussia Mönchengladbach
Reyna scored his first goal for Borussia Mönchengladbach in a 3-1 away defeat against FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
Named to USMNT 2026 World Cup Roster
Giovanni Reyna was officially named to the United States Men's National Team's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Features in USMNT Friendly
Reyna played 45 minutes in a 3-2 friendly win for the USMNT against Senegal, continuing his preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Giovanni Reyna, born November 13, 2002, quickly emerged as one of American soccer's brightest prospects, joining Borussia Dortmund's academy in 2019 and making his senior debut in January 2020 at just 17 years old. He rapidly broke records, becoming the youngest scorer in DFB-Pokal history and the first 17-year-old to record three assists in a Bundesliga match. His early career at Dortmund was marked by flashes of brilliance, contributing to their 2021 DFB-Pokal triumph and earning his first USMNT cap in November 2020.
However, Reyna's trajectory was significantly impacted by recurring injuries and a highly publicized controversy during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His limited playing time in Qatar led to a dispute between his family and then-USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, which cast a shadow over his international standing. Despite this, Reyna continued to contribute to the national team, notably scoring a brace in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League semi-final, which the USMNT went on to win.
The 2023-24 season saw Reyna extend his contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2026, but he was subsequently loaned to Premier League side Nottingham Forest in January 2024 in search of more consistent playing time. He made 10 appearances for Forest, recording one assist, before returning to Dortmund.
In August 2025, Reyna made a permanent move to fellow Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach on a three-year deal until 2028, with a reported transfer fee around €7 million. This move was seen as an opportunity for Reyna to revitalize his club career and secure his place in the USMNT squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. His debut season at Gladbach has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent minutes, but he scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 defeat against FC Augsburg on May 9, 2026.
As of June 6, 2026, Reyna's hard work has paid off on the international stage. He was officially named to the United States Men's National Team's 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. He featured in friendlies in March 2026 and played against Senegal on May 31, 2026, demonstrating his continued importance to the national team's creative midfield. Reyna, at 23, is eager to make a significant impact in his second World Cup, particularly on home soil, and is viewed as a key playmaker for the squad under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Giovanni Alejandro Reyna made different choices?