Reina responded "I am very disappointed" after being exposed by the media for his poor attitude and performance and almost being expelled from the World Cup

The U.S. team lost against the Dutch team in the World Cup in Qatar and ended up in the top 16. After the U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter returned, he revealed to the media that a player’s performance and attitude in the lineup did not meet expectations. During the World Cup, he almost had to pack up and go home. Although the coach did not disclose which player it is, some media have found that this person is likely to be the 20-year-old midfielder Giovanni Reina.

In an interview, Berhalter revealed that it is necessary to control some players who are not actively training, and said that there is obviously a player in the US team for this World Cup who performed poorly on the field and committed violations off the field, which is completely inconsistent The level and attitude expected of the squad. It also hinted that the problem was resolved after speaking with the player, which prevented the most extreme action of sending him out of the lineup and sending him home.

Reina has experienced injury problems in the Bundesliga Dortmund in the 2022-2023 season, but fortunately this has not affected his chances of being selected to represent the US team in the World Cup. However, Reina only played 2 games as a substitute at the World Cup in Qatar, playing nearly 52 minutes in total.

It is worth mentioning that this 20-year-old young player was not played by coach Berhalter in the World Cup opening match between the United States and Wales in a 1-1 draw. Some media saw him angrily throwing the shin guards on the sidelines .

According to reports, due to playing time restrictions, Reina protested in a non-active manner in training, which led to the teenager being almost ejected from the US team for the World Cup in Qatar.

"I admit emotions influenced my behaviour, but it's disappointing that the media continues to report on this"

Reina also responded to these negative reports about him on social media today. He explained that he should not have taken the World Cup team out of the field or commented on it, but because media reports have involved misleading his character and professionalism, he had to make a brief statement to clarify the matter.

He said, "It was very frustrating to be told by the coach that my role in the game was quite limited before the World Cup, because I was eagerly looking forward to contributing to this talented team."

Reina also further explained the misunderstanding, "I also have to admit that I am an emotional person. When I realized that my role in the World Cup in Qatar was limited, my emotions completely affected training and behavior. My teammates and coaches apologized, and they accepted it, and then I let go of those emotions and gave my all on and off the court."

At the same time, Reina also emphasized that he was quite disappointed with the constant media reports and the version was getting farther and farther from the truth, and expressed his love for and contribution to the US team.

Reina added, "The coach Berhalter has always told us that the problems of the team will stay inside, only in this way we can focus on the development and unity of the team. I love the team, the country. Now I only focus on Growing and improving as a soccer player. I also look forward to continuing to play for the US Men's Soccer team in the future as I look forward to a successful World Cup in 2026."