After 12 years at Borussia Dortmund, Marco Reus is ready to be reborn at LA Galaxy

Marco Reus, Borussia Dortmund's eternal number 11, wrote his last chapter with the German club at the end of the 2023/24 season, ending an era marked by moments of genius and endless “what ifs?”. The star, who was once considered one of the best attacking midfielders in the world, is now looking for a new start in Major League Soccer, where he will wear the LA Galaxy shirt until the end of 2026. It's a drastic change, but anyone who knows Reus knows that if anyone can reinvent themselves, it's him.

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Reus' journey at Borussia Dortmund has been full of ups and downs. On the one hand, he stood out as one of the most talented and productive players in the Bundesliga, on the other, constant injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential. During his 12 years with Dortmund, Reus made 424 appearances, scoring 168 goals and providing 100 assists. Impressive figures, but they always fell short of what they could have been had it not been for the physical obstacles that often kept him off the pitch.

For Dortmund fans, Reus' departure is a blow, but not an unexpected one. The player had already signaled that the 2023/24 season would be his last at the club, a decision that weighed heavily on the shoulders of a fan base that idolized him so much. But, as the saying goes, “king dead, king set”. And Reus, even at 35, still has plenty of wood to burn. It is in this spirit that he is embarking on an American adventure, now as the newest star of LA Galaxy, a club that has already had legends such as David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Steven Gerrard.

But what does this move mean for LA Galaxy and the MLS as a whole? Well, the arrival of Marco Reus in the United States is a bold move, but one with great potential returns. Reus is not just a big name, he brings with him the experience of someone who has played in Champions League finals and World Cups. And despite his injuries, he still has a lot of soccer left in him. Proof of this was his 14 direct contributions to goals (6 goals and 8 assists) in 26 Bundesliga games last season, figures that show he can still make decisions.

However, Reus' story with the LA Galaxy is only just beginning, and it brings with it inevitable questions: will he be able to keep his body healthy? Will the pace of the MLS, compared to the European leagues, allow him to shine without so many physical worries? Or will injuries, those old acquaintances, come back to haunt him? These are questions that only time will tell, but it's undeniable that Reus' presence in the MLS will attract the spotlight and further increase interest in soccer in the United States.

And for those who think that Reus' career was already in decline, it's worth remembering that he has always been a player capable of reinventing himself. Even in the seasons when he was sidelined by injury, Reus managed to return and deliver top-class performances, proving that class is permanent. The LA Galaxy are betting on exactly that: on Reus' ability to adapt, to overcome adversity and, who knows, to achieve the breakthrough that always seemed within his grasp, but which was never fully realized.

In the MLS, Marco Reus has the opportunity to become not just a great player, but a legend. He arrives in a growing league, which is still searching for its identity and where his style of play can make a difference. The Galaxy, for their part, are investing in a player who, despite his age, brings with him the promise of quality and the hope that his golden years are not yet behind him. If Reus manages to stay healthy, he could be the key piece the LA Galaxy need to get back into the title race, something that hasn't happened since 2014.

Reus' choice to say goodbye to Borussia Dortmund and start a new journey in the MLS wasn't an easy one. The player leaves behind not only the club he has always considered his home, but also a passionate fan base that has always been by his side, even in the most difficult times. However, this move also reflects Reus' desire to end his career on a high, playing in a less pressured environment and where he can finally enjoy soccer without the shadows of the injuries that have dogged him so much.

In Los Angeles, Reus will find a new challenge, new teammates and a new soccer culture. But one thing is certain: the technical quality and vision that made him an idol at Borussia Dortmund are still there. Now it's only a matter of time before he shows the MLS and the world that he can still be one of the greats.

In the end, what we can hope for is that Marco Reus, with all his experience and talent, turns this new stage into a success story, showing that, even at 35, there are still brilliant chapters to be written in his career. LA Galaxy have taken a big gamble, and fans can't wait to see how this new story unfolds on the MLS pitch.