Rocco Reitz

Rocco Reitz is a central midfielder whose influence begins before he receives the ball. He closes passing lanes, presses in the middle third and tries to turn a regain into forward movement quickly. His running helps a side win possession, while his next pass can carry it into attack.

Born in Duisburg, Reitz entered Borussia Mönchengladbach's academy at seven. He made his Bundesliga debut in October 2020, but did not immediately become a regular. Two loans at Belgian club Sint-Truiden, in 2021/22 and the second half of 2022/23, gave him a route to sustained senior football.

The change became visible at Gladbach in 2023/24, when he played in every Bundesliga match. His game joined defensive effort to useful possession: he could chase a second ball, pressure an opponent receiving centrally and then look ahead rather than simply recycle possession. Leipzig's assessment of his pressing and first pass describes a midfielder connecting those phases.

The label 'defensive midfielder' tells only part of the story. Reitz has played in deeper and central roles, and the same habit serves both: he closes a route through the middle, then offers an outlet once the ball changes hands. Not every recovery becomes a chance, but he gives teammates a quicker way to attack after one.

Gladbach named him vice-captain for 2025/26, and he wore the armband across much of that league campaign. It was a different development from his initial breakthrough: responsibility for organising a team as well as covering ground. He had also entered Germany's U21 side in November 2023.

Germany brought Reitz into its senior team's training group before Euro 2024, but he was not part of the final tournament squad. He later represented Germany at the 2025 European U21 Championship and started the final against England. Germany lost 3-2 after extra time, making him a member of a runner-up team rather than a European champion.

In summer 2026, Reitz left his boyhood club for RB Leipzig. On 29 August, he marked his Leipzig Bundesliga debut by scoring against Gladbach in a 3-0 win. The goal was a striking first league chapter, but the longer thread is his route from academy player, through Belgian loans, to a midfielder trusted to press, connect play and lead.