USMNT: Giovanni Reyna future uncertain amid Real Madrid interest

USMNT, Giovanni Reyna (Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
USMNT, Giovanni Reyna (Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Borussia Dortmund could be looking to lock down USMNT star Giovanni Reyna with a hefty contract

Real Madrid has reportedly shown interest in signing young American prodigy Giovanni Reyna. Marca has reported that the Spanish champions are keeping a close eye on Reyna as they also examine the talents of Erling Haaland.

Contrary, Borussia Dortmund is reportedly working to give Reyna a decent pay raise with a new three-year contract. His current contract with Dortmund is set to expire next summer. Reyna, who will turn 18 in November, made his Borussia Dortmund debut in a 5-3 win over FC Augsburg this past January. Since then he’s been rewarded with more regular playing time, which has tallied a total of three goals and six assists in 23 appearances.

While it is hard to believe, the teenager still has yet to receive a cap with the USMNT, having represented the U.S. at the youth level as apart of the U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-23 teams. So, which should he choose: Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund?

Giovanni Reyna has a decision to make

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A move to Real Madrid would put him under intense pressure for an American teenager, but it would also allow him to play for one of the most iconic franchises in sport and to be coached by the legendary Zinedine Zidane. A move to Madrid could also mean limited playing time, which is something that needs to be avoided at all costs for a player his age.

Staying at Borussia Dortmund and being coached by Lucien Favre is something that Reyna would certainly be more comfortable with at the moment considering that the pair have worked with each other since 2019, but a move to a club as massive and iconic as Real Madrid is will be difficult to turn down.

Considering his father, Claudio Reyna, started his own professional career in the Bundesliga in 1994 and had such a positive experience in Germany, he would certainly urge his son to stay in Germany for the time being.

For someone at such a young age, it is in his best interest to stay with the more familiar Borussia Dortmund. While a move to Los Blancos has to be greatly appetizing, it will certainly have its consequences. A move to the first team of such a massive club in a foreign land will be difficult for such a young American to deal with considering the lack of American experience in Spain (although the dream of seeing Gio Reyna play against Sergino Dest in El Classico would be surreal).

Along with all the possibilities of things that could go wrong in Spain, staying with Dortmund, where there is plenty of American experience with several USMNT teammates throughout the league, it is a safe bet and is sure to give Reyna future opportunities at a very high level. Already at one of the world’s biggest clubs, Reyna will surely follow USMNT star Christian Pulisic and move on to an even bigger club at some point in the future.