Giovanni "Gio" Reyna, born November 13, 2002, is an American professional soccer player who has emerged as one of the most promising talents in American soccer history. The son of former U.S. national team captain Claudio Reyna and former U.S. women's national team player Danielle Egan Reyna, soccer runs deep in his bloodline.
Reyna began his youth career with New York City FC before making a pivotal move to German giants Borussia Dortmund in 2019. His rapid development in Dortmund's renowned youth system quickly caught the attention of soccer enthusiasts worldwide.
Reyna made his professional debut for Borussia Dortmund in January 2020, becoming the youngest American to ever appear in the Bundesliga at just 17 years and 66 days old. His breakthrough season saw him make significant contributions, including becoming the youngest American to score in the Bundesliga and the youngest player to appear in a DFB-Pokal final.
During his time at Dortmund, Reyna showcased his versatility, operating primarily as an attacking midfielder but also capable of playing on either wing. His technical ability, vision, and creativity made him a valuable asset in Dortmund's attacking setup alongside stars like Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho.
Reyna made his senior debut for the United States men's national team in November 2020 and quickly established himself as a key component of the team's rebuilding process. His performances during World Cup qualifying and in various international competitions demonstrated his potential to become a cornerstone of American soccer for years to come.
In a significant career move in August 2025, Reyna transferred from Borussia Dortmund to Borussia Mönchengladbach, signing a contract through June 2028. The move represented a fresh start for the young midfielder, who had faced challenges securing consistent playing time at Dortmund.
Gladbach's sporting director, Roland Virkus, highlighted Reyna's versatility and potential, noting, "He's familiar with the Bundesliga and can play at a number of different positions in attack."
Despite the promising move, Reyna has faced challenges in securing consistent playing time, accumulating only 146 minutes across all competitions in the 2025 season without recording any goals or assists. However, his recent return to the U.S. Men's National Team under coach Mauricio Pochettino signals renewed confidence in his abilities.
Pochettino emphasized Reyna's exceptional talent, stating, "He's a special player... He has enormous, enormous talent." The coach expressed hope that the current opportunity with the national team would provide a boost in motivation for Reyna to continue improving.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Reyna has expressed strong determination to be part of the tournament squad. He stated, "I do obviously think about [the World Cup] pretty often as it's somewhere where I need and want to be." His return to the USMNT is seen as a crucial opportunity to demonstrate his growth and commitment ahead of the prestigious tournament.
Reyna is known for his technical proficiency, creative vision, and ability to operate in tight spaces. His strengths include:
As Reyna continues his development at Borussia Mönchengladbach and with the USMNT, his performance will be closely monitored by soccer analysts and fans alike. At just 22 years old, he still has significant room for growth and development, with many expecting him to fulfill his considerable potential in the coming years.
His journey represents both the challenges and opportunities facing American players in European leagues, and his success could pave the way for future generations of American talent seeking to make their mark on the global stage.
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