Marco Reus' reputation as a footballer of prodigious talent is not in question. Liverpool owner John Henry cannot tweet without being inundated by the desperate pleas of Liverpool fans, who continue to feed their heart on the limitless fantasies of Announce Reus.
The Dortmund midfielder has a second reputation, however, that was more or less sealed yesterday: Europe's most unfortunate footballer.
Yesterday, Reus finally captured the first major medal of his career, as Dortmund beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in the German Cup final in Berlin. It's well-overdue: the midfielder has been a runner-up in that competition on three occasions, and has also lost a Champions League final to Bayern Munich and has thrice finished in second spot in the Bundesliga.
In addition to that, he missed out on a World Cup medal in 2014 through the caprice of injury.
With that monkey finally off his back, yesterday should have been a day of celebration for Reus.
This is everything. @woodyinho we love you 💛 https://t.co/haJeOEmCFo
— Joe 🐝🍑 (@BorussiaJoe) May 27, 2017
Instead, that relief has been tempered - if not ruined - by injury. Reus was substituted at half-time in the cup final, replaced by Christian Pulisic.
Bild report today, however, that scans have since shown that Reus has ruptured his cruciate ligament, and the price he has paid for his first major honour will be at least six months out of the game.
Reus has missed 68 games for Dortmund through injury since joining the club in 2012, and 26 in this season alone. injuries that have also denied him the chance to play at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
Injuries that have also denied him the chance to play at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
Oh, and the German national side dropped him from the Euro 2016 squad ten minutes after they wished him a happy birthday.
Happy 27th Birthday, @woodyinho! #JederFuerJeden #DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/srlBxS1dU2
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) May 31, 2016
Reus is 27, so he should be approaching his peak as a footballer. Let's hope that injury does not rob him - and us - of seeing that happen.
