Marco Reus

Marco Reus is a German professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy. He is celebrated for his technical skill, versatility, and eye for goal, making him one of the most recognized German players of his generation. Reus has had a decorated career, notably spending over 12 years at Borussia Dortmund, where he scored 170 goals and provided 132 assists in all competitions. He is one of only three players in Bundesliga history to achieve 100 goals and 100 assists. Reus has won the DFB-Pokal twice and the DFL-Supercup twice, and reached the Champions League final twice. He has been named German Footballer of the Year twice and Bundesliga Player of the Season three times. In 2024, Reus moved to LA Galaxy, winning the MLS Cup in his first season. He also earned 48 caps for Germany. Fans connect with his perceived loyalty, resilience, and the narrative of a career marked by challenging circumstances.[edit]

Marco Reus was born on May 31, 1989, in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany. From a very young age, his passion for football was evident. He took his first steps in organized football at the age of five, joining Post SV Dortmund in 1994. This early start laid the foundation for a promising career. Just two years later, in 1996, a significant moment in his young life arrived when he joined the youth academy of Borussia Dortmund. For Reus, this was a dream come true, as he had been a fervent supporter of the club since his earliest childhood. His dedication to the black and yellow was further solidified when, just three days before his eighth birthday, he celebrated with immense joy as his beloved Borussia Dortmund triumphed in the 1997 Champions League, a victory that surely fueled his aspirations.

Reus dedicated the next decade of his formative years to developing his skills within Dortmund's esteemed youth system. During this period, he honed his abilities as an attacking midfielder, a role that would define his professional style. However, at the age of 17, seeking new opportunities for senior team exposure, Reus made the pivotal decision to leave Dortmund's academy and join Rot Weiss Ahlen's U-19 team. His impact was almost immediate; in his first year at Ahlen, he played for the club's second team in the Westphalia league, making a striking debut by scoring in each of his first two games. His impressive performances quickly caught the eye of the senior coaching staff, leading to his rapid promotion. In 2007, he broke into Ahlen's first team, which was then competing in the German third division. He made 16 appearances in his debut season, starting two matches, and netted his first senior goal on the final matchday, showcasing his potential.

Reus's burgeoning talent and consistent displays at Rot Weiss Ahlen did not go unnoticed by scouts from higher-tier clubs. His ability to influence games from midfield, combined with his goal-scoring prowess, attracted significant attention. This promising trajectory culminated in 2009, when Borussia Mönchengladbach, recognizing his immense potential, secured his transfer for a fee reported to be around 1 million euros. This move marked a significant breakthrough in Reus's career, propelling him from regional football into the higher echelons of German professional football and setting the stage for his rise to prominence.[edit]

Reus made his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Mönchengladbach in August 2009. His breakthrough came in the 2011-12 season, when he scored 18 goals and provided 12 assists, leading the club to a fourth-place finish and Champions League qualification. He was named German Footballer of the Year and Bundesliga Player of the Season that year.

In 2012, Reus returned to Borussia Dortmund. In his first season back, he helped the team reach the Champions League final, where they lost to Bayern Munich. He won his first DFB-Pokal in 2017 and added another in 2021, along with two DFL-Supercups. He served as club captain from 2018 to 2023. In his final season at Dortmund, 2023-24, he again reached the Champions League final, losing to Real Madrid.

After his contract expired, Reus joined LA Galaxy in August 2024. Four months later, he won the MLS Cup, his first trophy with the club. As of 2026, he continues to play for the Galaxy.[edit]

Reus is known as Borussia Dortmund's local hero, having been born in the city and risen through the club's youth system. His playing style is described as flamboyant and silky, with quick footwork and vision. Media often focus on his injury-plagued career and the what-could-have-been narrative. Fans admire his loyalty and resilience, and he remains a beloved figure in Dortmund.[edit]

Marco Reus remains a defining figure in modern football, recognized globally for his technical flair and longevity at Borussia Dortmund before his 2024 transition to Major League Soccer. As of August 2026, the iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his standing among international public figures; however, he does not currently hold a placement within the published Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This absence from the ranked hierarchy indicates that while his professional reputation is secure, his current global fame metrics do not reach the threshold required for a specific ordinal position in the latest evaluation cycle. Despite this unranked status, his presence in American soccer has been substantial, with recent performances for LA Galaxy, including a match-winning brace against Real Salt Lake in April 2026, reinforcing his profile as a high-caliber veteran. His fanbase, lacking a formalized name in available records, consists primarily of supporters who follow his career trajectory across Germany and the United States. There are no documented rituals, specific chants unique to his following, or organized fan-funded campaigns such as billboards or subway advertisements that distinguish his audience from general football supporters. While he is celebrated for his loyalty and resilience, the narrative surrounding him focuses on his athletic achievements rather than a distinct cultural mythology or viral folklore involving crowd reactions. The absence of an official fandom designation suggests his supporters operate under the broader umbrellas of their respective clubs or national teams rather than coalescing around a singular identity dedicated solely to him.[edit]

Marco Reus bears a half-clock tattoo on his left forearm, a detail he cites alongside a confessed obsession with body art that may lead to further additions. He served as the cover star for the FIFA 17 video game, marking a significant milestone in his digital legacy. His international career was frequently interrupted by physical setbacks, causing him to miss three World Cups (2010, 2014, 2022) and two European Championships (2016, 2020). His childhood idol was Tomas Rosicky, a player whose style likely influenced his own development. A LEGO minifigure representing Reus was released in 2016, cementing his status as a recognizable icon beyond the pitch. In more recent years, he has advised Jadon Sancho to return to Borussia Dortmund in March 2026, demonstrating his continued influence on younger players. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, he partnered with RITFIT for training initiatives, though he ultimately will not be playing for Germany in that tournament. These facts collectively illustrate a career marked by both individual accolades and a complex relationship with health and timing.[edit]

Reus was born to Thomas and Manuela Reus. He has two sisters, Yvonne and Melanie. He has a tattoo on his left forearm with pendants bearing the initials T, M, Y, M, representing his father Thomas, mother Manuela, and sisters Yvonne and Melanie. Reus married Scarlett Gartmann in December 2019, and they have a daughter born in early 2019. The family lives in Los Angeles following his move to LA Galaxy.[edit]

Reus's childhood idol was Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky. He is married to model Scarlett Gartmann, and his parents are Thomas and Manuela Reus. [edit]

Reus dated Carolin Bohs before 2015. After their split, he began a relationship with model Scarlett Gartmann in December 2015. The couple married on December 21, 2019, in a small ceremony. They have a daughter born in early 2019. As of 2026, Reus remains married to Scarlett Gartmann.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Marco Reus's net worth is estimated at $60 Million as of 2026, derived primarily from his long-standing career as a professional footballer with Borussia Dortmund and the German national team. His annual salary has been around €11 million ($12 million) in recent years, contributing the bulk of his wealth. Endorsement deals, notably with Puma, and social media income from Instagram (estimated at $1–1.5 million annually) add to his earnings. Reus has not publicly disclosed significant business investments, so his wealth is largely tied to football contracts and endorsements.[edit]

Reus has won two German Footballer of the Year awards (2012, 2019), three Bundesliga Player of the Season honors, and two DFB-Pokal titles with Borussia Dortmund. He also won the MLS Cup with LA Galaxy in 2024 and a European Championship bronze medal with Germany in 2012. [edit]