Dortmund’s long-standing forward Marco Reus will be leaving the club at the end of the season after 12 years of loyalty. The decision not to extend Reus’ contract was mutual, although the 34-year-old expressed his desire to continue playing rather than retiring. Reus, a Dortmund native, reflected on his time at the club, stating that he has dedicated half of his life to Dortmund and has experienced many highs and lows during his tenure.
Although Reus won two German Cups with Dortmund, he never managed to secure a Bundesliga title with the team. The closest he came was last season when Dortmund narrowly missed out on the title to Bayern Munich. However, Dortmund still has a chance at European glory, as they are two games away from potentially winning the Champions League. Reus played a crucial role in the team’s recent victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first semi-final match, with the return leg set to take place soon.
Throughout his 21 years with Dortmund, Reus has been an integral part of the team and served as captain from 2018 to 2023. Despite missing out on World Cup success in 2014 due to injury, Reus has had a successful career, representing Germany in 48 matches and scoring 15 goals. Despite receiving offers from larger clubs, Reus chose to remain loyal to Dortmund, a decision that has been commended by the club’s managing director.
As Reus prepares to leave Dortmund, the club acknowledges that it marks the end of an extraordinary era. The club’s managing director expressed his gratitude towards Reus, acknowledging him as one of the greatest players in Dortmund’s history and wishing him all the best for his future endeavors. While Reus is set to depart from the club, there is hope that he may return in a different capacity after his professional career comes to a close. Dortmund fans will undoubtedly miss Reus, but they will always cherish the memories and achievements he brought to the club over the years.