Borussia Mönchengladbach attacking midfielder Gio Reyna battles for first-team minutes in bid to make the upcoming World Cup
Currently playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga, Giovanni Reyna’s 2025/26 season has been defined by recurring injuries and limited club minutes.
Despite these setbacks, he continues to be a focal point for head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has publicly labelled the attacker a “special player” capable of providing a creative dimension few others in the U.S. pool can replicate.
Since his senior international debut in 2020, Reyna has earned 35 caps and scored nine goals for the United States. His ability to impact games was evident as recently as late 2025, where he remained a frequent call-up for international windows.
However, his lack of consistent rhythm at club level has made his specific role for this summer’s home tournament a primary subject of analysis.
Who is Gio Reyna?
Gio Reyna was born in Sunderland, England, while his father, former USMNT captain Claudio Reyna, was playing in the Premier League. Raised in a storied footballing family, as his mother, Danielle Egan also represented the U.S. women’s national team, Reyna developed at the New York City FC academy before moving to Europe at age 16.
He made his professional breakthrough at Borussia Dortmund, eventually becoming the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga at the time. After five years in Dortmund, which included a DFB-Pokal title and a brief loan spell at Nottingham Forest, Reyna sought a fresh start to revitalise his career.
In August 2025, he completed a permanent transfer to Borussia Mönchengladbach for a reported fee of €4 million, signing a multi-year deal intended to provide a more consistent platform for his development.
Gio Reyna stats this season
The 2025/26 campaign has been a period of frustration for the 23-year-old playmaker. Reyna has been limited to just 14 appearances for Mönchengladbach across all competitions, largely due to lingering groin and muscular issues.
He has logged approximately 410 minutes in the Bundesliga and has struggled for competitive club football since the start of 2026. While his technical quality is undisputed, his statistical output of zero goals and zero assists in league play reflects a season spent largely in recovery rather than on the pitch.
What position does Gio Reyna play?
Reyna is a versatile attacking midfielder who is most effective in the No.10 role, where his vision and close control can unlock compact defences. Standing 6-foot-1, he possesses a rare combination of physical presence and technical grace.
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While he thrives centrally, Mauricio Pochettino has also utilised him as an inverted winger on either flank. His high football IQ allows him to find pockets of space between the lines, making him a critical asset for the USMNT when they are tasked with breaking down deep-lying opponents.
What nationality is Gio Reyna?
Though born in England and eligible for Portuguese citizenship through his paternal grandmother, Reyna has always been a cornerstone of the United States program. He is a key figure in the “golden generation” of American talents who moved to Europe as teenagers.
His commitment to the USMNT was solidified early in his career, and he has since become a symbol of the creative potential within the modern American squad.
Gio Reyna salary and contract
Upon joining Borussia Mönchengladbach in August 2025, Reyna signed a contract that runs until June 30, 2028. While his exact weekly earnings are not publicly disclosed by the club, he remains a significant investment for Gladbach.
His current market value is estimated at approximately €10.4 million, a figure that has fluctuated significantly due to his injury history but still reflects his high ceiling as a top-tier creative talent.
Will Gio Reyna play in the 2026 World Cup?
Reyna’s status for the 2026 World Cup is a unique case in the USMNT camp. Based strictly on league minutes, his selection might be questioned, yet Mauricio Pochettino’s recent comments suggest he is a lock for the final 26-man roster.
Pochettino has prioritised Reyna’s inclusion in camps even during periods of inactivity at Gladbach, valuing his unique ability to change a game with a single pass.
“We really know he’s a very talented and very special player,” Pochettino stated earlier this month. “To give the possibility, even if he’s not playing too much in his club, it can be very useful for us.”
The next two months will prove a race against time for Gio Reyna to achieve full match readiness. If he can stay healthy through the conclusion of the Bundesliga season, he is expected to be a primary creative engine for the U.S. as they look to make a deep run on home soil this summer.
