Marco Reus: Career Earnings, Style of Play & Honours
Marco Reus is a German international with over 500 club appearances to his name.
Reus has been the face of Borussia Dortmund for the majority of the last decade, staying loyal to the club as big-name teammates have departed, including Robert Lewandowski, Jadon Sancho and Mario Götze.
Dortmund have long held a reputation as a popular second-club – Reus fits this image. He’s beloved by fans all over the world and his name is popular on the back of every Borussia Dortmund kit release.
Not only committed to his hometown club, the German plays high-energy, high-skill football and has regularly hit the headlines for viral celebrations and net-busting strikes.
Injuries have sadly disrupted Reus’ career. Fitness issues have limited him to under 50 caps for Germany, and hampered Dortmund’s ambitions at times.
His talent has never been in question, yet availability has proved a problem. Since joining Dortmund in 2012-13, he has had four seasons with fewer than 30 appearances in all competitions.
Let’s learn a bit more about Marco Reus, one of the Bundesliga’s greatest entertainers.
Marco Reus Salary
Marco Reus’ salary is reportedly £164,000 per week, making him the joint-highest paid player at Dortmund alongside Mats Hummels.
Into his thirties and with several contract extensions signed with Die Schwarzgelben, Reus’ salary is inevitably going to be larger than his younger teammates.
The potential earnings turned down are particularly interesting in this case. Transfers rumours were common throughout Reus’ peak years, but he always opted to stay at the club that developed him.
Perhaps there was an opportunity for a more lucrative contract in England or Spain.
His current wage isn’t mega money by modern football standards, particularly when compared with the wages at the top Premier League and La Liga clubs.
Still, with a net worth around £16 million, Reus isn’t exactly going to have any financial worries in the near future. He’s been substantially rewarded for playing for his hometown team, and his devotion can only be admired.
Career
Starting out with Rot Weiss Ahlen after spending 10 years in Borussia Dortmund’s academy, Marco Reus established himself in 2. Bundesliga in 2008-09. Only 19 years old, he made 27 appearances for Rot Weiss Ahlen, catching the eye of Borussia Monchengladbach.
Die Fohlen landed Reus on a four-year contract in May 2009. His first Bundesliga goal arrived in August of that year with a stunning solo effort – Reus quickly became a regular goal scorer under Lucien Favre, finding the net 20 times across his first two seasons.
He made a flying start to the 2011-12 season with Gladbach. His contract had a few years remaining, but word of a release clause had got out.
With Dortmund on their way to an historic Bundesliga title, they stumped up €17.1 million for Reus in January 2012, though he wouldn’t join the Black and Yellows until July of that year.
Just weeks into his Dortmund spell, Reus netted a brace as his new club hammered his former employers 5-0.
Given the opportunity to prove his talents in the Champions League, he regularly came up with important contributions in his first season with Dortmund on their run to the final.
Scoring against Manchester City, Real Madrid and Ajax was a great start for Reus in Europe’s premier competition. His best moment, though, came as he contributed an injury time goal in Dortmund’s dramatic comeback against Malaga.
While Robert Lewandowski had departed for Bayern, Reus went from strength to strength in 2013-14, forming a partnership with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and contributing to 41 goals.
Injuries effectively destroyed the following season. Back to his prolific best in 2015-16, Reus won his first major trophy in the DFB-Pokal in 2016-17, but suffered an ACL injury which ruled him out until February 2018.
Despite missing the majority of the season, Reus was handed another contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2023. Dortmund’s faith in their star man was rewarded in 2018-19.
Reus won German Footballer of the Year scoring 21 and assisting 14 across the season, including a brace as Dortmund overturned a deficit to beat Bayern.
This looked like Reus back to his best, but the 2019-20 season was again limited by injury with just 26 appearances in total.
While only scoring 11 times in 49 appearances in 2020-21, Reus became Dortmund’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League.
Alongside his club exploits, Reus has amassed almost 50 caps for Germany. Injuries and an incredibly deep talent pool have limited his international impact, and he opted out of playing in Euro 2020, citing fatigue.
Style of Play
Primarily viewed as a second striker or attacking midfielder, Marco Reus has often featured on the flanks (usually the left) or as a lone striker. He’s at his best from the left wing or in a free role behind the striker.
Reus has provided plenty of highlights with his high-power distance shots. He’s a masterful technician all-round, though, with an eye for a pass and with the ability to finish chances with either foot.
At his peak, Reus had the pace to torment defences with runs in behind. His close control remains superb, but he is much less of a threat beyond the defenders in the latter seasons of his career.
His work rate has never waned, however – he has always had the fitness to cover a lot of ground and press intelligently, making him a favourite of numerous managers.
Marco Reus Honours
- DFB Pokal – 2016-17, 2020-21
- DFL-Supercup – 2013, 2014, 2019
- Bundesliga Team of the Season – 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2018-19
- Bundesliga Player of the Season – 2011-12, 2013-14, 2018-19
- German Footballer of the Year – 2012, 2019
- UEFA Team of the Year – 2013
- ESM Team of the Season – 2018-19
