Giovanni Reyna, a winger for the United States men’s national team, has chosen to don No. 21, the same uniform number that his father, Claudio Reyna, wore in the 1998 World Cup. Giovanni Reyna will wear No. 21 for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The number was worn by Giovanni Reyna during the U.S.’s 0-0 tie with Saudi Arabia on September 27 and 2-0 loss to Japan on September 23. According to ESPN, he was replaced in the Saudi Arabia game’s 30th minute due to stiff muscles.
Giovanni Reyna told ESPN that he has always wanted to play in the World Cup, but depending on the severity of the injury, he may not be able to make the team.
He stated, “I’ve participated in the Champions League.” And the only thing that has ever been on my “bucket list” in any genuine way since I first started watching soccer is to represent the USA in a World Cup.
His recent experience with the injury bug is not limited to the muscle issue. When not representing the United States at the international level, Giovanni Reyna represents Borussia Dortmund of the German Bundesliga, where he saw little action in 2017.
Reyna is still only 19, but the injuries make it seem as though time never stops, and he has already experienced middle age. In the last 12 months, Reyna has missed 15 of the last 19 games for the United States and 34 of the last 45 games for Borussia Dortmund, according to ESPN.
Gregg Berhalter, manager of the U.S. men’s national team, praised the teenage winger’s contributions to the team in an interview with The Athletic despite his history of injuries.
He said, “He has quality. The ball may be received by him in any situation thanks to his excellent passing weight, timing, and versatility. He is capable of obtaining it while running, with his back to the goal, and under intense pressure. Because of his quality, that is not an issue for him. And when he is facing up, he is excellent at making the last pass. Just incredibly high calibre.
Claudio Reyna, the father of Giovanni Reyna, represented his country in 111 games, four FIFA World Cups, and two Olympic Games between 1994 and 2006, according to the website for the Olympics.
Claudio Reyna is one of the most decorated players in USMNT history and has been a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame since 2012. According to the U.S. Soccer website, Claudio Reyna is one of just three players to represent the USMNT at four different FIFA World Cups, together with Kasey Keller and DaMarcus Beasley.
The mother of Giovanni Reyna is also an elite athlete. Sports Illustrated reports that Danielle Egan played in six games for the American women’s national team while playing soccer for the University of North Carolina and winning four NCAA titles.
According to the story, Claudio Reyna and Egan first connected when staying at the same hotel with the men’s and women’s national teams just before the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
According to Giovanni Reyna, he received the best qualities from both of his parents, as reported by Bundesliga.com.
“My mum was more of a runner, whereas my dad was more of a technical, combining player, good on the ball, and with good technique,” he remarked. “I believe that my running is also fairly good, but I also have good technique and a solid combination. Although I believe I combined the greatest aspects of each, there is always room for improvement.