World Cup stars of the Bundesliga: Borussia Mönchengladbach's Gio Reyna
The 23-year-old playmaker who joined Borussia Mönchengladbach from Borussia Dortmund at the start of 2025/26 is raring to bring more joy to FIFA World Cup co-hosts USA after netting a stunning strike in their opening clash against Paraguay.
Name: Giovanni Reyna
Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Nation: USA
International debut: 12 November 2020
Caps: 39
International goals: 10
Stats correct as of 13 June 2026
How was his 2025/26 season?
Reyna arrived at Gladbach last August with a clear aim of forcing his way back into the US National Team picture after having limited playing time at Dortmund. It didn't go entirely according to plan as his new club battled relegation, appointed a new coach in November in Eugen Polanski - while Reyna, impacted by a couple of injuries, was limited to four Bundesliga starts.
He still managed to make 19 appearances, and grabbed his first goal for Gladbach at an opportune time - in a 3-1 loss at Augsburg in early May, weeks before the World Cup started.
What he brings to the national team
Having made his USA debut the day before his 18th birthday, Reyna's exceptional talent has always been clear, despite not being a regular starter for club or country in the past couple of years.
He demonstrated though in six friendly appearances ahead of the World Cup he has the vision and skill to make vital impacts on the biggest stage - something that was clear for the world to see as he curled a delightful goal in with the outside of his boot in stoppage time as a late substitute in USA's 4-1 opening win.
Watch: Reyna's Bundesliga highlight reel
What his coaches say
"I have rarely seen a training session from him that I wasn't satisfied with. He's made extremely good runs and improved from game to game. I'm extremely happy." - Gladbach head coach Eugen Polanski in December
"I think we all know Gio has an amazing talent and experience, too. He can add different things to the team. He has the quality." - USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino
