Which path do BVB legends take? For Hummels and Reus, the signs point to separation
April 24, 2024, 6:47 p.m
Mats Hummels is once again irreplaceable for Borussia Dortmund and has once again earned a leading role at the age of 35. Marco Reus, on the other hand, mostly sits on the bench and rarely plays. The contracts of the two club legends expire in the summer. What’s next?
During their trip to the USA last summer, Marco Reus and Mats Hummels were asked for a “room duel” as to which of them was the better ice skater. It turned out that both of them rarely – or not at all – venture onto the ice. “We’ll wait a few more years until we’ve stopped,” said Hummels, “then it’ll work!” But when will that be?
A few weeks before their contracts at Borussia Dortmund expire, the future of the two veterans beyond the end of the season remains uncertain. “If we have something to report, we will do it,” said sports director Sebastian Kehl evasively. “First of all, all discussions have to take place and decisions have to be made – and then we will communicate it.”
Despite all the similarities between black and yellow, the paths of the formative players of the past ten years have recently diverged greatly. Hummels is a regular player again, he is leading the way with commitment, overview and class, as one of the leaders on the way to the Champions League semi-finals. The south stand celebrates him, as they did recently in the 4-2 win against Atlético Madrid, even when he scores an own goal.
“If you, as a player, have been on the pitch in a game like this, then you know that it’s no longer possible in football,” the 35-year-old then wrote enthusiastically on Instagram. “The atmosphere in the stands, the energy in the stadium. That only exists here, you NEVER forget it. Never!” Does that sound like someone who will be leaving the club?
Terzić prefers to let Brandt play instead of Reus
The “Bild” newspaper thinks it knows: no. Both the club and Hummels, who recently played his 500th competitive game for BVB, were inclined to extend his contract for another year. America is probably not an option because Hummels wants to be close to his five-year-old son. He lives in Munich. Fans will probably find out his decision immediately before the end of the season – or even shortly afterwards.
The situation is different for Marco Reus. Since the winter break, the 34-year-old has often sat frustrated on the substitutes’ bench when things got serious. Of a possible 180 minutes in the Champions League quarter-finals, he played seven – Hummels played 180. A decision is also expected towards the end of the season, with a tendency towards separation, as coach Edin Terzić prefers Julian Brandt in the central attacking midfield. “The farewell tour seems to have begun,” wrote the “Ruhr Nachrichten” recently.
The paths of Mats Hummels and Marco Reus could drift apart, but that does not have to mean the end of the career for the second-best goalscorer in BVB history. There has recently been speculation about Reus moving to the American Major League Soccer. A transfer within the Bundesliga, however, should not be up for debate. The problem that could arise for the club is how to make a dignified exit.
In any case, on the trip to the USA, in the “room duel”, Marco Reus referred to his ankle when asked about ice skating – too risky! But he said it would be fun again.
2024-04-24 16:47:00
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