Ángel Reyna
A mercurial Mexican attacking midfielder whose flashes of sublime skill and goalscoring made him a fan favorite and a domestic league champion.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Mexican footballer·Birthday: September 19·Millennials
Biography
Ángel Reyna's football story is one of dazzling peaks and frustrating valleys, a career defined by moments of pure magic rather than unbroken consistency. Emerging from the academy of Monterrey, he truly announced himself during a prolific loan spell at San Luis, where his goalscoring from midfield turned heads. His big break came with Club América, one of Mexico's giants. Wearing the iconic yellow jersey, Reyna hit his zenith, combining audacious dribbling with a fierce shot to become a key figure in their 2005 Clausura championship run. Nicknamed 'El Principito' (The Little Prince), he played with a creative flair that endeared him to supporters but often clashed with the structured demands of managers. This led to a nomadic later career, with stops at several Liga MX clubs including Monterrey, Pachuca, and Veracruz. While he never firmly secured a permanent spot with the Mexican national team, his legacy is secure as a player who, on his day, could decide a game with a single moment of unpredictable brilliance.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ángel was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ángel Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ángel's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Mexican Primera División championship (Clausura 2005) with Club América, contributing key goals and playmaking.
- Finished as the top scorer of the 2011 Copa América while playing for the Mexican national team, though his caps were limited.
- Won the Liga de Ascenso (second division) championship with Dorados de Sinaloa in the 2015 Clausura tournament.
- Earned a move to MLS side D.C. United in 2014, becoming a designated player for the club.
Did You Know?
His nickname, 'El Principito,' is a reference to his slight build and skillful playing style.
He scored a famous long-range 'chilena' (bicycle kick) goal for Club América against Santos Laguna in 2011.
He began his professional career as a forward before settling into his more familiar attacking midfield role.
He is known for having a large collection of tattoos covering much of his upper body.
“When the ball is at my feet, the only plan is to attack.”
