By outdoor-nature-child.com Five years ago, two Americans caught our attention, reminding us just how unpredictable the professional sports landscape can be.
I’m Marcus Christenson, and on October 9, 2024, I reflected on the dramatic shifts that can happen in athletes’ career paths, particularly in football. Unforeseen circumstances—like injuries, coaching changes, and personal challenges—play a significant role in shaping these journeys. Our experiences with the 2019 Next Generation list have illustrated this reality. While we always hope for success, it’s clear that not every player achieves the fame we initially expect.
Take Giovanni Reyna, for instance. Coming from a footballing family—his father, Claudio, who represented the U.S. internationally and played for prominent clubs like Manchester City and Rangers—Reyna’s transition to Borussia Dortmund seemed like a guaranteed route to stardom. On the other hand, Gianluca Busio, who was then with Sporting Kansas City and didn’t share the same background, was perceived as the underdog in the situation.
In 2020, we highlighted Reyna’s impressive debut, noting that he had already made 23 first-team appearances and was regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young talents. “I’m still learning a lot tactically,” he shared, acknowledging the challenges that come with moving from youth to professional football.
Meanwhile, Busio was making his own strides in Kansas City, gaining interest from Serie A clubs. However, as Reyna faced a series of injuries, Busio embarked on his journey, eventually signing with Venezia.
Fast forward to the 2022 World Cup, and Reyna found himself at the center of controversy, clocking only 52 minutes on the field amidst a family feud with U.S. Men’s National Team coach Gregg Berhalter. Despite struggling with injuries, Reyna has since recovered and is eager to make his comeback.
This year’s updates present a different narrative. Reyna is once again on the outskirts of the Dortmund squad following a tough loan spell at Nottingham Forest, while Busio has secured a regular starting position at Venezia.
It’s crucial to understand that this shift doesn’t inherently mean Busio has outperformed Reyna in terms of skill. Reyna holds 31 international caps, in contrast to Busio’s 13, with no new appearances since 2023. The unpredictability of sports careers constantly surprises us.
Statistically, there’s a larger trend at play: of the 60 players from our 2019 list, 29 have represented their countries at the senior level—a record high compared to previous years. Notably, the U.S. presence has expanded from just two players to four, now including Yunus Musah and Malik Tillman, who switched international allegiances.
Evaluating young talent also brings to light the challenge of maintaining success in the Premier League, where currently 20% of players from our initial list are signed with top clubs.
Among them, Tino Livramento from Newcastle has made a mark with 62 top-flight appearances. His resilience is commendable; after recovering from a significant ligament tear, Livramento has drawn praise from coach Eddie Howe, who acknowledges both his readiness and the tough competition he faces within the squad.
As we continue to monitor the progress of the 80 players we identified five years ago, excitement is building with the U.S. hosting a home World Cup in less than two years. Who knows? Reyna and Busio might both play vital roles in a successful team during this crucial moment. As the saying goes, “Nothing is impossible.”