The USMNT legends offers guidance to the young American especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon
Donovan, Howard emphasize the importance of playing consistentlySuggests Reyna consider all options, including MLSHighlights the significance of the upcoming 2026 World CupGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
USMNT legend Landon Donovan has shared advice for Giovanni Reyna as the young midfielder looks to reignite his career in 2025. After a challenging few years at Borussia Dortmund and an unsuccessful loan spell at Nottingham Forest, Reyna faces a pivotal year in his development with the 2026 World Cup fast approaching.
"The reason we talk about him [Gio Reyna] is because he's such a generational talent and we were running the stats, and in the 12 league games this year, he has one start [for Dortmund] and his average minutes on the field is 2.1 minutes in 2025," Donovan said. "He comes in for three minutes here, doesn't play the next three games. He's got to move, he has to move because this too important a time for him."
Donovan, the USMNT’s joint all-time leading scorer alongside Clint Dempsey, expressed concern about Reyna’s lack of playing time at Dortmund on his podcast with Tim Howard. He emphasized that the 22-year-old is a generational talent and urged him to leave the German club to improve his chances of featuring for the U.S. at the 2026 World Cup.
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Ever since his breakout 2022-23 season, Giovanni Reyna has struggled with injuries and finding a consistent role with Dortmund — making just 11 Bundesliga appearances in the 2023-24 season before being loaned out. However, even his six-month loan spell at Nottingham Forest failed to get the best out of the attacker, as he made only nine appearances for the in the second half of the 2023-24 season. Things haven’t changed since then as injuries and other issues have seen the 22-year-old play just 378 total minutes this campaign.
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As Reyna enters a pivotal year in 2025, he faces crucial decisions about his future especially after reports indicated that Borussia Dortmund are open to selling him this summer. The American has less than 18 months left on his current contract and with the 2026 World Cup around the corner, the 22-year-old’s performances over the next year will be instrumental in determining his role in the national team setup.
