Who is Gio Reyna’s father?
Haaland, Kluivert, Thuram, Schmeichel, Beckham…
Some names are simply synonymous with the footballing world, so it’s only natural that the torch be passed down through generations of the same family. We’ve been fortunate enough to see many father-son stories across the beautiful game over the years, with sons making their former-footballing fathers immensely proud on some of the biggest stages.
One of those is Gio Reyna, Borussia Dortmund livewire and part of the USMNT squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He rose through the ranks at BVB and has enjoyed an exciting start to his senior career at the club as well as making a splash on the international scene, already boasting four goals for the United States.
And his dad wasn’t too shabby, either. So, who is Gio Reyna’s father?
Claudio Reyna is a former footballer who enjoyed spells in Europe and the MLS, as well as representing the USMNT at international level.
His association with the game did not end following his retirement in 2008, since taking up sporting director roles in the MLS.
A central midfielder, Reyna was brought to Europe by Bayer Leverkusen in 1994 after impressing for college side Virginia Cavaliers in the US. While he only played 29 times for the club over three seasons, he came to the fore following a switch to fellow Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg, making important contributions in his 55 appearances for the club over two years.
His form for the German club earned him a move to Rangers where he won the only titles of his career, picking up Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup medals in 2000.
A move to the Premier League in 2001 ensued, where he featured 28 times for Sunderland before settling down at Manchester City. Reyna played 88 times between 2003 and 2007 for the Citizens, becoming a memorable figure in sky blue in the process.
After spending the entirety of his 13-year career to that point in Europe, Reyna concluded his playing days in his native US, joining New York Red Bulls for the 2007 campaign before announcing his retirement during the 2008 season.
The pinnacle and best form of his career, however, probably came on the international stage where he featured regularly from 1994 until his international retirement in 2006. Reyna is widely regarded as one of the USMNT’s greatest ever players, winning the US Player of the Year in 2000, earning 112 caps for his country and captaining the nation at World Cups – including the 2002 edition, where he was included in the Team of the Tournament.
His footballing exploits did not end there, though.
Five years after his retirement from football altogether, Reyna joined New York City FC upon their formation as sporting director. The club excelled while he was there, making the MLS Cup Playoffs four times in the five years he was involved.
In 2019, Reyna moved on to become the sporting director of Austin FC just over a year after their foundation. The 2022 campaign saw great success for Austin, as the club reached the Western Conference Final in the MLS Cup Playoffs while also qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League.
It is uncertain what Reyna’s exact net worth is but, following a successful playing career and an exciting start to his off-field involvement, reports have suggested that the American is worth around $3m.