After the fuss about his almost expulsion from the US national team shortly before the World Cup in Qatar, BVB professional Rio Reyna spoke up.
“I was hoping not to have to comment on what happened at the World Cup,” Reyna wrote on Instagram.
The 20-year-old believes things that happen within the team should remain private. According to the reports from “MLS Soccer” and “The Athletic”, the Borussia Dortmund professional sees himself forced to make a statement.
“Just before the World Cup, coach Berhalter told me that my role in the tournament would be very limited. I was devastated,” Reyna wrote, emphasizing: “I’m someone who plays with pride and passion. Football is my life and I believe in my abilities.”
In the statement, Reyna also admitted that the harsh news initially impacted his training and behavior, saying he is an “emotional person” after all.
“I apologized to my teammates and my coach and was told I was forgiven,” continued Reyna. “After that I shook off my disappointment and gave it my all on and off the pitch.”
The international was “disappointed” and “surprised” that his misconduct was now being discussed publicly.
Reyna ended his statement by saying: “I love my team, I love representing my country and my focus now is just to improve and grow as a footballer and as a person. I hope everyone involved Going forward in US football, we want to focus solely on what is in the best interests of the men’s national team so that we can have great success at the 2026 World Cup.”
Reyna advisor rumbles: “Disrespectful”
Reyna’s adviser also commented on the reports. “Gio didn’t have the experience at the World Cup that was hoped for,” Dan Segal told The Athletic, adding, “The situation, relationships and interactions between the parties are far more complicated than previously reported.”
Segal finds it “disappointing and disrespectful to comment on private team matters, especially when some do so without full knowledge of the facts and in a self-serving manner.”
On Monday morning, “MLS Soccer” and “The Athletic” reported that Reyna narrowly escaped a drastic sanction from his national team coach Gregg Berhalter. He had seriously considered withdrawing the World Cup nomination a few days before the tournament.
Reyna only plays a supporting role at the World Cup
According to “ESPN”, the coaching team is said to have accused the BVB professional of not showing enough commitment and motivation in the preparation. Above all, his performances in a preparatory game against the Qatari club Al Gharafa were anything but satisfactory. Because of an apology in front of the whole team, he was allowed to stay in the team.
In the end, the World Cup in Qatar was not very pleasant for Reyna, despite the apology: the BVB star spent 90 minutes on the bench in both the first group game against Wales (1-1) and in the third against Iran (1-0).
In the duel against England (0-0) he came on as a substitute in the final minutes. In the round of 16 against the Netherlands (1:3) he came into the team at half-time.