Giovanni Reyna

Giovanni Reyna
Vyacheslav Evdokimov · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Giovanni Reyna
Birth date	13 November 2002
Birth place	Sunderland
Height	1.78 m
Position	Attacking midfielder, winger
Currentclub	Borussia Dortmund

Giovanni Reyna Giovanni Reyna is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Borussia Dortmund and the United States men's national soccer team. Born in Sunderland to parents with deep football connections, Reyna emerged through the New York City FC and Bayern Munich-linked youth pathways before establishing himself at Dortmund and earning caps at senior international tournaments. He is noted for technical skill, vision, and versatility across attacking roles.

Early life and background

Reyna was born in Sunderland to former professional players Claudio Reyna and Sabrinna Lima, and raised in Scarsdale, New York and Portland, Oregon where his father worked with New England Revolution and United States Soccer Federation. He attended youth academies affiliated with New York City FC, trained at IMG Academy and spent time in the youth systems of Bayern Munich and Manchester City-linked programs before joining the academy of Bayer Leverkusen-linked clinics and later Borussia Dortmund. His upbringing connected him to figures such as Lothar Matthäus, Carli Lloyd, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, and Claudio Ranieri through family, coaching, and scouting networks. Early scouts compared him to peers from the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, CONCACAF U-20 Championship, and academies of Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Chelsea F.C., Arsenal F.C., Manchester United, Liverpool F.C., Juventus, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Club career

Reyna joined the youth setup of Borussia Dortmund in 2019 after progressing through New York City FC and trials with Bayern Munich and Manchester City academies. He debuted for Dortmund's senior team in the Bundesliga during the 2019–20 season against opponents such as Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, FC Schalke 04, FC Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig. Key managers during his time at Dortmund include Lucien Favre, Edin Terzić, and Marco Rose. Reyna scored notable goals in the UEFA Champions League against clubs like Sevilla FC and featured in matches versus Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, and Manchester United in European competition. Injuries interrupted seasons intersecting with fixtures against Borussia Mönchengladbach, VfL Wolfsburg, Hertha BSC, 1. FC Köln, and VfB Stuttgart, while teammates included Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho, Marco Reus, Mats Hummels, Julian Brandt, Raphaël Guerreiro, Thorgan Hazard, Mats Hummels, and Nico Schulz. Contract discussions linked Reyna to potential moves involving Chelsea F.C., Manchester City, and Real Madrid in transfer windows monitored by FIFA and UEFA. Dortmund development programs referenced partnerships with Signal Iduna Park staff, Borussia Dortmund II coaches, and the club's academy directors who previously worked with players like Mario Götze, Christian Pulisic, Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, and Sergio Gómez.

International career

Reyna represented the United States men's national under-17 soccer team and the United States national under-20 soccer team before receiving a senior call-up from Gregg Berhalter to the United States men's national soccer team. He made his senior debut in friendlies and featured in CONCACAF Nations League fixtures, facing national teams including Mexico national football team, Costa Rica national football team, Honduras national football team, Canada national soccer team, Jamaica national football team, Panama national football team, and El Salvador national football team. Reyna was part of squads preparing for major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup, participating in qualifiers for FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF). He played alongside internationals like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest, Brenden Aaronson, John Brooks, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner, and Tim Weah.

Playing style and reception

Reyna is characterized by close control, passing range, dribbling, and ability to operate as an attacking midfielder, false nine, or wide playmaker. Analysts from outlets covering Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, The Athletic, ESPN, BBC Sport, Sky Sports, Marca, L'Equipe, and Kicker (magazine) have compared aspects of his technique to players such as Andrés Iniesta, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Philippe Coutinho, Sergio Agüero, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Christian Pulisic. Coaches like Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel, Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, and Mikel Arteta have been cited in media discussions about developmental pathways that influenced Reyna. Pundits from CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, Goal.com, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian have noted his tactical intelligence, set-piece delivery, and creative output while also highlighting challenges including injuries, squad competition, and physical adaptation.

Personal life

Reyna is the son of former United States men's national soccer team captain Claudio Reyna and Sabrinna Lima Reyna, connecting him to families involved with clubs like New York City FC, New England Revolution, and institutions including Yale University alumni networks and the U.S. Soccer Federation. He has been linked socially and professionally with athletes such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson, Tim Weah, and coaches across Bundesliga and Major League Soccer. Media coverage from ESPN FC, NBC Sports, Univision Deportes, Telemundo Deportes, and SI.com has followed his off-field interests, sponsorships, and charity involvement.

Career statistics

Club - Appearances and goals across competitions including Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Champions League, and DFL-Supercup for Borussia Dortmund and youth appearances in MLS Next and DFL Jugend competitions.

International - Caps and goals for United States men's national soccer team at senior level and youth caps for United States men's national under-17 soccer team and United States national under-20 soccer team in tournaments like the FIFA U-17 World Cup and CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

Honours and achievements

Individual and team honours include recognition in Bundesliga matchday awards, UEFA Europa League/UEFA Champions League appearances, youth tournament accolades at the FIFA U-17 World Cup level, and selections to national team squads for FIFA World Cup cycles and CONCACAF Gold Cup preparations. Club honours with Borussia Dortmund and youth awards from U.S. Soccer and tournament organizers have been documented alongside nominations for awards associated with Ballon d'Or youth mentions and Golden Boy consideration.

Category:2002 births Category:Living people Category:American soccer players Category:Association football midfielders