10 fun facts about Marco Reus

Marco Reus, born on May 31, 1989, in Dortmund, Germany, is a highly skilled and versatile German professional footballer. He has made a name for himself as an attacking midfielder or forward, both at the club and international level.

Reus began his career with Borussia Monchengladbach in 2009 and had an exceptional season in 2012, scoring 18 goals and providing 12 assists in the Bundesliga. This outstanding performance secured his team a spot in the prestigious UEFA Champions League. Following this successful season, Reus returned to his hometown club, Borussia Dortmund, and played a crucial role in their journey to the 2013 UEFA Champions League final in his first season back.

Since then, Reus has become an integral part of Borussia Dortmund, showcasing his exceptional skills and becoming a fan favorite. His contributions on the field have been instrumental in Dortmund’s success, helping the team secure two DFB-Pokal titles. Reus’ remarkable performances have earned him numerous individual accolades, including being named the German Footballer of the Year in 2012 and 2019.

On the international stage, Reus has represented the German national team since 2011. However, his international career has been marred by unfortunate injuries, preventing him from participating in major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro. Despite these setbacks, Reus remains a highly respected and admired player both in Germany and internationally. Here are 10 fun facts about him.

1. Humble beginnings

Reus, born in Dortmund on May 31, 1989, began his football journey with the local club Post SV Dortmund. From a young age, he displayed an unwavering passion for the sport. Andrea Schürmann, his former coach, fondly remembers Reus dedicating countless hours to playing the game. Whether it was on the field or in his backyard, Reus’s skills with the ball were exceptional, and he consistently proved himself as a valuable asset to the team.

2. Began his football career early

Marco’s passion for football began at a young age when he registered with his first club at the tender age of 4. He was so obsessed with the sport that he could always be seen with a ball or any object resembling one at his feet. Even at home, he would use tangerines and apples as makeshift playing objects, which eventually convinced his parents to let him join a team.

In 1996, he joined the Dortmund youth academy, but his dreams of becoming a professional player were initially hindered by his slight physique. Despite this setback, he persevered and decided to move to Rot-Weiß Ahlen to pursue regular football opportunities. Leaving his childhood club was a painful experience for him, as he had spent his entire youth career there. However, he believed that taking the next step was crucial, especially considering his unwavering support for the team.

3. Known for his charity works

Marco Reus is a true philanthropist who never fails to lend a helping hand to those in need. For several years now, he has been making a difference by regularly visiting children in Dortmund hospitals through the “ELTERNTREFF” (‘ParentMeet’) initiative. Reus goes above and beyond to support children battling leukaemia and tumours, and he even contributes a portion of the proceeds from his clothing line “MRXI” to charitable causes. His selflessness and generosity are truly inspiring.

4. Why the nickname ‘Woody’ and ‘The Prince of Dortmund’

Reus acquired the moniker “Woody” due to his distinctive hairstyle and head movements, reminiscent of the animated character Woody Woodpecker. His fellow teammates playfully teased him for his head bobbing during runs, which resembled the iconic bird.

Reus himself embraces this nickname and even chose to incorporate it into his Twitter handle: @woodyinho. Another nickname bestowed upon the German footballer is “The Prince of Dortmund,” underscoring his significant influence and adoration within the Dortmund team.

This title reflects Reus’ exceptional impact on the club, his remarkable performances, and his unwavering loyalty. Through his contributions and leadership, he has solidified his reputation as a pivotal figure both in the dressing room and among the fanbase.

5. Marco Reus role model

Reus has a great admiration for Tomas Rosicky, the former Arsenal player who spent six years at Borussia Dortmund. Reus shared that he used to watch Rosicky’s matches as a child and was inspired to be like him. Rosicky played a significant role in the Dortmund team before joining Arsenal, and although they were never teammates, Reus has many cherished memories of him, especially during his early days in the youthful squad.

6. Friends with Pierre-Emerick Aubamyeang

Reus has formed an unbreakable bond with Borussia Dortmund’s striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, creating a bromance that is renowned throughout the football world. Whether they are on the field or off it, these two are inseparable, constantly dazzling fans with their lethal partnership. In fact, their incredible chemistry is so remarkable that it could easily fill an entire DVD of breathtaking highlights.

7. Crazy love for tattoos

Reus is also a fan of tattoos and has permanently marked his left arm with the inscription “Marco – 31.05.1989” to ensure he never forgets his own birthday. In addition, he draws daily inspiration from his Oprah Winfrey-inspired tattoo, which features the quote “the biggest adventure you can take is to live out your dreams.”

Alongside these, Reus has adorned his body with various other tattoos, including a lion, a flower, and four pendants engraved on his left forearm. Each pendant represents the initials of his family members’ names: T for his father Thomas, M for his mother Manuela, Y for his elder sister Yvonne, and M for his other sister Melanie. Completing the collection is a half-clock tattoo on Reus’s left forearm.

8. He often miss major tournaments

Reus had a promising start to his international career by participating in and scoring during Euro 2012. In the second half of the 2013/14 season, he managed to score eight goals in the league and provide five assists. However, his aspirations of playing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup were crushed when he suffered an ankle injury against Armenia.

Despite his absence, Germany triumphed and secured their fourth World Cup title. Unfortunately, history repeated itself before Euro 2016, as Reus was once again unable to participate in another international tournament due to injury.

9. His brand

Reus has reached an extraordinary level of fame through his outstanding performances in the Bundesliga and on the international stage. As a result, the Dortmund star has successfully established his own brand, “MRXI,” providing a platform for his fans to delve deeper into the life of their beloved player. Moreover, Reus utilizes his massive following and influential voice to support various charitable causes. Additionally, he serves as a role model for men’s fashion by collaborating with the renowned outlet ‘pursuit’.

10. A Borussia Mönchengladbach saviour

Borussia Mönchengladbach acquired his services in the summer of 2009, and he proceeded to have a profound impact on the club’s destiny. In 2011, he netted the crucial goal that saved the Foals from relegation, and the following season he achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 18 goals – a personal best for him in a single campaign. This outstanding performance led to a fourth-place finish for the team and secured their spot in the UEFA Champions League qualifying stage.