Giovanni Reyna was born on 13 November 2002 in Sunderland, England, to American soccer royalty — his father Claudio Reyna captained the United States at two World Cups and his mother Danielle was also an international player. Growing up immersed in football, Giovanni came through the New York City FC academy before joining Borussia Dortmund's youth structure in 2019, developing under one of Germany's finest academy programs.
He made his Bundesliga debut for Dortmund at just seventeen in January 2021, and his early performances were extraordinary. Technically brilliant, creative and with an ability to pick the perfect moment for decisive actions, Reyna quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young midfielders/attackers in European football. He drew immediate comparisons with the greatest American players to come before him, and carried the expectation of being the most talented American footballer of his generation.
His development at Dortmund was unfortunately punctuated by significant injury problems, particularly hamstring issues that cost him considerable playing time across the 2021-22 and subsequent seasons. Managing his physical robustness and staying fit enough to fulfil his potential has been the central challenge of his career so far. In 2025-26 he moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach to seek a fresh start and more regular playing time.
For the United States, Reyna debuted at just eighteen in November 2020 and has been a central part of the team's plans, when fit, ever since. He was part of the 2022 World Cup squad and the 2024 Copa América, and heading into the 2026 World Cup on American soil he is the player who carries the greatest expectation in the team — a genuinely world-class talent whose contribution, if fully healthy, would be transformative for the USMNT.
Standing 1.80 m, Reyna is a right-footed attacking midfielder who plays predominantly from the right side, with exceptional technique, vision and a gift for arriving in the right positions at the right time. He is the most naturally talented American footballer since Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, and on home soil in 2026, the nation's hopes for a deep World Cup run rest significantly on his shoulders.