According to L'Équipe, Giovanni Reyna, the American midfielder who joined Strasbourg this summer, was born into a footballing family. Both his father, Claudio Reyna, and his mother, Danielle Egan, were former US internationals. While his parents' experience had a significant impact on his football career, their deep involvement in their son's career also sparked a major controversy in American football circles.

In his first press conference after joining Strasbourg, Reyna spoke about his parents' influence: "Football has always been in our family's DNA. Both my parents played at a very high level, and they always encouraged me, but I forged my own path through my own determination. They support me every day, whether in good times or bad, and I always discuss football with them."

Reyna's father, Claudio, earned 112 caps for the US national team, participating in three World Cups (1998, 2002, and 2006) and two Olympic Games (1992 and 1996), and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.

Reyna stated: "Growing up, I often watched videos of my father playing in the World Cup for the United States. I feel like I inherited his technique, his ability to play in midfield, and his ability to control the pace of the game."

Reyna joined the New York City FC Academy at age 13, at which time his father was the club's sporting director. His mother, Danielle, earned 6 caps for the US women's national team in 1993. Reyna believes he inherited "stamina and the ability to evade opponents" from his mother.

Speaking about his parents' current support, Reyna said: "She discusses nutrition, sleep, and supplements with me every day. With my father, we discuss more football-related details, things that can help me improve my performance."

In 2020, Reyna made his Borussia Dortmund first-team debut at 17 years and 66 days old, and was once considered one of the most promising young players in world football. During his time at Dortmund, he also became close friends with Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham.

However, two years later, the Reyna family became the center of a major controversy in American football. During the 2022 World Cup, Reyna did not start in any of the four matches. Dissatisfied with his son's playing time and with then-US coach Gregg Berhalter's treatment of Reyna, Reyna's mother Danielle took action.

The incident was exposed by ESPN in January 2023, prompting the US Soccer Federation to commission an independent law firm, Alston & Bird, to conduct a formal investigation.

The investigation confirmed that Danielle revealed to US Soccer Federation officials that Berhalter had been violent toward his wife in the past, using her prior personal relationship with Berhalter's wife, thereby questioning his fitness to continue as head coach. Berhalter subsequently publicly acknowledged and explained the incident.

Meanwhile, Claudio also informed US Soccer Federation technical director Earnie Stewart and US men's national team general manager Brian McBride of the situation.

The investigation report released by the US Soccer Federation stated: "Mr. Reyna's statements to some of our management personnel could be considered a violation of FIFA's code of ethics, including potential abuse of power."

The report also noted that from 2016 to 2022, Claudio repeatedly raised concerns to US Soccer Federation management and national team staff regarding his son's interests, including during the U-17 World Cup in late 2019.

Following this controversy, the US Soccer Federation amended its regulations regarding the relationship between players' families and national team staff. Claudio subsequently resigned from his position as Austin FC sporting director.

As time passed, and Giovanni Reyna gradually recovered from injuries while Berhalter departed and Mauricio Pochettino took over the US team, the controversy surrounding the Reyna family gradually faded.

At the 2024 World Cup, Reyna participated in all five of the US team's matches. He recalled: "The World Cup was an incredible experience. Having the support of the entire country and being able to participate in this tournament at home was truly a dream come true. It's definitely a moment I will never forget and one of the most important experiences of my career so far. Of course, being able to score was also a very special moment."

Now at Strasbourg, Reyna has scored his first goal since joining the team. In Strasbourg's 6-2 away victory over Troyes last week, he scored, marking an exciting start to his French football career.

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