What Happened to Giovanni Alejandro Reyna?
Giovanni Reyna is an American professional soccer player who rose to prominence at Borussia Dortmund before facing challenges with injuries and playing time, including a loan spell at Nottingham Forest. He permanently transferred to Borussia Mönchengladbach in August 2025 and is currently a member of the USMNT squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aiming to re-establish his form and impact after a period of inconsistency and a notable controversy during the 2022 World Cup.
Quick Answer
Giovanni Reyna currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach, having joined them permanently in August 2025. After a loan spell at Nottingham Forest in early 2024 and a subsequent struggle for consistent minutes at Borussia Dortmund, Reyna sought a fresh start. He was named to the USMNT squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a season at Gladbach in 2025/2026 that saw limited appearances and one goal, as he continues to work back to his peak form following recurring injuries and a past controversy surrounding his role in the 2022 World Cup.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Sunderland, England
Giovanni Alejandro Reyna was born in Sunderland, England, while his father, Claudio Reyna, played for Sunderland AFC.
Joins Borussia Dortmund Youth Academy
Reyna moved from New York City FC's youth academy to Borussia Dortmund's youth team.
Bundesliga Debut for Borussia Dortmund
At 17 years and 66 days old, Reyna became the youngest American to appear in the Bundesliga, coming on as a substitute against FC Augsburg.
First Professional Goal
Reyna scored his first professional goal in a DFB-Pokal match against Werder Bremen, becoming the youngest goalscorer in German Cup history.
Youngest Bundesliga Player with Hat-Trick of Assists
He set a Bundesliga record for a teenager by providing three assists in a single match against SC Freiburg.
USMNT Senior Team Debut
Reyna made his debut for the United States men's national team against Wales, becoming one of the youngest players to feature in two decades.
Wins DFB-Pokal with Borussia Dortmund
Reyna was part of the Borussia Dortmund squad that won the DFB-Pokal, his first major club trophy.
2022 FIFA World Cup Controversy
Reyna had limited playing time and was at the center of a public dispute with then-USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, which involved his family.
Loaned to Nottingham Forest
Reyna extended his contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2026 and was immediately loaned to Premier League club Nottingham Forest until the end of the 2023-24 season.
Wins CONCACAF Nations League, Named Best Player
Reyna helped the USMNT win the CONCACAF Nations League and was awarded the Best Player of the Tournament.
Permanent Transfer to Borussia Mönchengladbach
After struggling for playing time at Dortmund, Reyna completed a permanent move to fellow Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach, signing a contract until June 2028 for approximately €7 million.
Scores First Goal for Borussia Mönchengladbach
Reyna scored his first goal for Borussia Mönchengladbach in a 3-1 away defeat against FC Augsburg during the 2025-26 Bundesliga season.
Named to USMNT 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
Giovanni Reyna was officially included in Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Plays for USMNT in Friendly vs. Germany
Reyna featured for the USMNT in a 1-2 loss at home against Germany, playing 28 minutes in a warm-up match for the World Cup.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Giovanni Reyna, born on November 13, 2002, quickly emerged as one of American soccer's brightest talents. After developing in the New York City FC academy, he joined Borussia Dortmund's youth setup in July 2019. His breakthrough into Dortmund's senior team was rapid, making his Bundesliga debut in January 2020 at just 17, becoming the youngest American to do so. He further cemented his potential by becoming the youngest goalscorer in DFB-Pokal history in February 2020 and the youngest Bundesliga player to record a hat-trick of assists in October 2020.
However, Reyna's promising trajectory was frequently interrupted by a series of injuries, particularly from the 2021-22 season onwards, which significantly hampered his ability to maintain consistent playing time and form at Dortmund. This period of injury and reduced minutes coincided with a high-profile controversy during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Reyna's perceived lack of effort in training led to a dispute with then-USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, which escalated when Reyna's parents disclosed a decades-old domestic violence incident involving Berhalter to U.S. Soccer. Reyna later acknowledged his frustration over playing time but stated he wouldn't take all the blame for the saga.
In an attempt to gain more playing time, Reyna extended his contract with Borussia Dortmund until June 2026 and was subsequently loaned to Premier League club Nottingham Forest for the second half of the 2023-24 season. Despite making 10 appearances and recording one assist, the loan spell did not fully reignite his career, and he returned to Dortmund in June 2024.
After struggling for consistent minutes during the 2024-25 season at Dortmund, Reyna made a permanent move to fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach in August 2025, signing a contract until June 2028 for a reported fee of around €7 million. This move was seen as an opportunity for a fresh start and to secure regular playing time ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2025-26 season at Borussia Mönchengladbach has seen Reyna continue to battle for consistent minutes, recording 1 goal and 0 assists in 19 Bundesliga appearances, totaling 510 minutes. He has also faced further injury setbacks, including a muscle injury in early 2026. Despite these challenges, Reyna was included in Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man USMNT squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He has featured in recent USMNT friendlies in late May and early June 2026, including a match against Germany on June 6, 2026, as he looks to play a significant role in the tournament on home soil.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Giovanni Alejandro Reyna made different choices?