Real Madrid: Reinier's patience being put to the test at Dortmund
The Brazilian is out on loan at Borussia Dortmund but has yet to make his debut under new coach Edin Terzic. He has totalled 136 minutes of playing time.
Reinier has yet to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. The promising Brazilian left Real Madrid to gain more playing time on loan at Borussia Dortmund at the start of the season and he is still waiting... He hardly figured under Lucien Favre and the situation hasn't changed under new coach Edin Terzic, who replaced Favre in December. He has yet to make his debut under the new coach, has hardly entered the squad lists and in total, has racked up just 136 minutes of playing time this season.
Reinier turns down Valladolid loan offer
The player recently discussed his situation with his family and agent Giuliano Bertolucci. Ronaldo's Real Valladolid were interested in bringing him back to Spain and even put in an offer to take him on loan but Reinier turned the opportunity down in favour of battling to win his place at Dortmund. The teenager, who Real Madrid signed from Flamengo for 30 million euros last year is under contract until June 2026; he is determined to make a success of his time in Germany and considers his loan spell with Dortmund as another step in his development.
"As a city, Dortmund isn't anything like Rio or Madrid. It is a working class city and that is something that attracts me to it. In Brazil, Borussia Dortmund is well known as a club which gives opportunities to young players," Reinier said back at the start of his loan move and he hasn't lost all hope of getting his chance. It is worth pointing out that the 19-year-old has not experienced any problems whatsoever in settling in and adapting to life in Germany. He is considered a member of the squad like everyone else, he gets on well with his team mates and works as hard as the others to convince Terzic that he can bring something to the team. The coach will likely be forced to start rotating his squad soon. Dortmund are alive in three competitions and will need to keep players fresh and injury-free for when the Champions League returns in a fortnight's time.
Much of Reinier's chance will depend on Marco Reus' fitness. Reus is first choice in the same position as Reinier. Both Reinier and Real Madrid haven't lost hope that in the end, the loan move will be beneficial - especially seeing as Achraf Hakimi's loan stint at Dortmund was such a success. But everyone's patience has its limits. If Reinier's situation doesn't change between now and the summer, Madrid could cancel the loan arrangement and find another club where the youngster will be get experience rather than be wasting his time.