Giovanni Reina, only 17 years old, came from the USA to advance his career • The son of the legendary Claudio Reina chose the best breeding incubator • Tonight, against Bayern Munich in the Super Cup, he will try to prove his place among the greats
Giovanni Reina.
"Eager and mentally strong"
Photography:
IP
When Giovanni Reina, a Borussia Dortmund midfielder, has to go shopping - he must be accompanied by a member of the team, because he does not have a license.
When he buys new shirts he buys one larger size because he can not do laundry without shrinking the clothes and the best meals he eats in the club areas.
These are the problems that the 17-year-old American who left the United States alone to join the German luxury club about a year ago has to deal with. All this does not prevent him from getting a place in Lucian Fabre's squad. The yellow-blacks became experts in turning young boys into senior footballers on the continent. .
Last week, in his league debut, he scored his first in the German league.
Asked after the game about his meteoric rise, he sounded humble: "I knew I might not be the biggest fish in the pool, but I was confident enough to know that if I worked hard and made an effort, I would reach the position I am in now."
Despite his young age he already carries a very heavy bag on his back, which goes with him everywhere, but at the same time also hardens him.
When you're the son of Claudio Reina, one of the greatest footballers ever in the United States, when an entire country puts in the hope at a young age to get far in the World Cup it will host in, 2026, it's hard not to grow up.
Add to that the fact that at age 9 his older brother, Jack, died of brain cancer, and you will understand the credit he is getting.
"Not only his technical skill and physical structure convinced us. We realized that he is very developed in terms of his personality; stable, eager to learn and mentally strong," explained Marcus Pilawa, the club's chief scout.
Young Reina. Carrying a heavy bag on his back // Photo: AP
His mother, Daniel Egan, who was also a famous soccer player, told Athletic in an interview about her son's true greatness: Faster than we lifted ourselves. "
Even before Saturday's loss to Augsburg, it was no doubt difficult for Dortmund this year to disqualify Bayern from a ninth consecutive championship.
Putting aside the surprising defeat to Hoffenheim, the Bavarians currently look like the best team in the world, picking up four titles in recent months.
Tonight in the German Super Cup they want to win the fifth title in 2020, but Reina will want to prove that even against the biggest he can make an impact.
His combination with Jadon Sancho and Arling Holland could endanger any team, and they will work hard to give hope to their fans.
