Marco Reus
A dazzling, injury-plagued attacking virtuoso whose loyalty and flair made him the symbolic heart of Borussia Dortmund for a decade.
Born 1989 (age 37)·German footballer·Birthday: May 31·Millennials
Biography
Marco Reus's story is one of sublime talent intertwined with cruel timing. The native of Dortmund rose through the ranks at his boyhood club, only to leave as a youth and blossom into a Bundesliga star at Borussia Mönchengladbach. His return to Borussia Dortmund in 2012 was a homecoming of a local hero, and he quickly became the team's creative engine—a player of searing pace, ingenious passing, and lethal finishing. Wearing the captain's armband, he embodied the club's passionate identity. Yet, his career was shadowed by significant injuries that cruelly ruled him out of major tournaments for Germany, including the 2014 World Cup victory. Despite this, his legacy is cemented as a one-club man of extraordinary quality and resilience, finally lifting the German Cup in his emotional farewell season.
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.
Marco was born in 1989, 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 Marco Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Marco's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
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
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
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
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named German Footballer of the Year in 2012 and 2019, a rare feat.
- Won three DFB-Pokal (German Cup) titles with Borussia Dortmund (2017, 2021, 2024).
- Scored over 150 goals and provided more than 100 assists in over 350 appearances for Borussia Dortmund.
- Was a key member of the Dortmund team that reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2013.
Did You Know?
He is a co-owner of the esports organization Team BDS.
Reus missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which Germany won, due to an ankle injury sustained in a warm-up match.
His father was a footballer and later worked as a youth coach for Borussia Dortmund.
He has a signature goal celebration, leaping into the air with a fist pump, known as the 'Reus-Sprung' (Reus jump).
“I have always said that I would like to end my career at Borussia Dortmund.”
