These Impressive Stats Got USMNT Star Giovanni Reyna Into Kopa Trophy Nominations
Ava Bailey The Kopa Trophy, which will be awarded in 2021, is one of the most important trophies in football. This award is also called the Ballon d’Or for players under the age of 21 because past Ballon d’Or winners select the winner. France football presents it to the finest player under the age of twenty-one.
The first recipient of this prestigious award was Kylian Mbappe, who won it in 2018. The next year, Matthijs de Ligt won. However, owing to Covid-19, there was no winner last season.
This year, the likes of Mason Greenwood, Bukayo Saka, Giovanni Reyna, and Jamal Musiala have been shortlisted. Here, we dissect how Reyna got nominated for the Kopa Trophy.
Giovanni Reyna was incredible in 2020
Borussia Dortmund currently is a goldmine of talented youngsters. With players like Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Giovanni Reyna at their disposal, the future looks bright for them. Amongst the three, the American has the special ability to be equally adept at scoring and assisting. This ability of his has earned him the nickname “American Kaka”
via Getty
ALTACH, AUSTRIA – JULY 30: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Giovanni Reyna of Borussia Dortmund Looks on during the Preseason Friendly Match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bologna at CASHPOINT Arena on July 30, 2021 in Altach, Austria. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
In his first full season with the German side, Reyna tallied a total of nine goals and ten assists across all competitions last year. What’s even more impressive is that the youngster has scored most of his goals in the Champions League. The 18-year-old also has an incredible tally of 4 goals from 9 games for the USMNT.
Erling Haaland is in awe of Reyna
While it’s normal for younger players to be competitive against each other, it is very rare to see a young player in awe of another. Erling Haaland had nothing but praises for Reyna when he spoke to the Bundesliga website recently. For a player like Haaland to speak so highly of Reyna is a testament to how special the American is.
“At such a young age to be so calm on the ball and play for such a big team, it’s very fascinating to see how calm he is and he doesn’t care about anything, he just jumps right into it,” explained BVB striker Haaland.
“He’s a top talent, and we’re lucky to have him here. The American Dream, I call him that. He has a huge future ahead of him.”
Do you think Giovanni Reyna will win the Kopa Trophy? Let us know.
