Rocco Reitz: Who is Borussia Mönchengladbach's homegrown midfield marvel?
Rocco Reitz is to Borussia Mönchengladbach what Marco Reus is to Borussia Dortmund - a homegrown super talent who's Borussia to the bone. bundesliga.com profiles Gladbach's up-and-coming midfield marvel...
Stats correct as of 30 November 2023
Age: 21 (born 29 May 2002)
Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Position: Central midfielder
Country: Germany (two U21 caps, two goals)
Key stats
Reitz finally has his feet under the table at boyhood club Gladbach. The 5'8" midfielder scored in back-to-back games against Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund on Matchdays 11 and 12, adding to his maiden assist early in the 2023/24 campaign. He'd made his Bundesliga debut almost three years prior, aged 18, but it took a two-year loan spell in Belgium with Sint-Truidense for the Foals to realise what they were missing.
Reitz made 35 appearances in the Jupiler Pro League, producing three goals and one assist, before returning to Borussia-Park in summer 2023. He currently ranks among Gladbach's top five passers and top three for challenges won, efforts that have been rewarded with his first Germany U21 caps. He marked his debut with a late brace from the bench in a UEFA Euro U21 qualifiying win over Estonia in November 2023.
Plays a bit like: Michael Ballack
Reitz plays with an effortlessness that betrays a masterful understanding of the game. He's athletic, a fine passer and comfortable with the ball at his feet, all teasing future midfield great potential. Germany might not have seen one quite like him since the days of the legendary Michael Ballack.
Did you know?
Reitz has been on the Gladbach books since the age of seven. Assuming he's still pulling the strings when his existing contract is due for renewal in summer 2026, he will have been at the club some 17 years.
"I've spent more than half my life at Borussia and the club has been my second home for a long time," Reitz said after penning a new deal in September 2023. "It makes me proud that I can live my dreams here."
Watch: Rocco Reitz scored a superbly taken goal in defeat to Dortmund
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What they're saying
"Rocco has made great strides. He's aggressive and also has a good eye for making things happen in the final third." - Gladbach head coach Gerardo Seoane
"We're all enjoying Rocco right now. He's a magnificent footballer, really assured on the ball. I love playing with him." - Germany U21 teammate Youssoufa Moukoko
"Rocco's development is progressing nicely, he impresses me. He's a player who always wants the ball, who isn't afraid of getting the ball in tight situations and who has also rewarded himself in the Bundesliga." - Germany U21 head coach Antonio Di Salvo
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