It’s impossible to say if Mathis Albert will end up surpassing the careers of Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna, but the Borussia Dortmund teenager has already one-upped the U.S. national team pair in one aspect.
Albert made his Borussia Dortmund debut on April 26 in a 4-0 win over Freiburg, becoming the youngest American to ever play in the Bundesliga at 16 years, 11 months and 12 days old.
The record had been held by Reyna, who was 17 years, 2 months and 5 days when he debuted for Dortmund in 2020. Reyna was two months younger than previous record-holder Pulisic, who set the mark with his own Dortmund league debut in 2016.
Following in the footsteps of some of his country’s biggest names, Albert tried to take the moment in at Signal Iduna Park, one of European soccer’s most iconic stadiums.
“I was honestly just star struck in front of the 80,000 [fans], in front of the Yellow Wall,” he told USA TODAY Sports. “It just felt like history.
“It’s a feeling I couldn’t really even describe, because I was just so in the moment. I was nervous, but my nerves kind of went away as soon as I entered the pitch.
“To be the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga is honestly an amazing feeling, especially with this club. It’s a historic club and one of the best in the world.”
Albert is the latest gem from Dortmund’s academy, a place that has helped cultivate some of the top American talent in recent years.
Like Pulisic and Reyna, Albert is a dynamic attacking talent who has risen quickly through the ranks at Dortmund. A South Carolina native by way of the LA Galaxy academy, Albert is an electric attacking threat on the wing with an eye for a pass and the ability to score himself.
It’s no coincidence that three of the best American prospects of the past decade have all come from the same team. Despite its status as one of Germany’s most successful clubs, Dortmund is a place where young talent is given the chance to play senior minutes early.
“The club has always trusted me,” Albert said. “All the people that work in the club have always given me the chance, and they always had goals for me.
“Having their trust and having their commitment has helped me so much ever since I first joined Dortmund.”
Before he aims for more senior minutes next season, Albert is with Dortmund’s U-21 side for Tuesday’s Premier League International Cup final against Real Madrid.
Albert has helped build his reputation through this season’s tournament, often facing players multiple years older than him.
“Playing in the final is just a really big opportunity for me,” he said. “I feel like I have had a really good tournament in this Premier League [International] Cup. I’ve contributed a lot, scoring goals, getting assists, and I’m just really excited to play in the final.”
Christian Pulisic has returned to form with AC Milan and is seen as a crucial USMNT leader ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
See his career in photos starting with Pulisic celebrating after scoring AC Milan’s third goal during the Series A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Friuli on Sept. 20, 2025 in Udine, Italy.
Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States and Seungho Paik #8 of Korea Republic via for the ball during an International Friendly at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025 in Harrison, New Jersey.
Christian Pulisic of Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 5, 2025 in Genoa, Italy.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 9, 2025 in Milan, Italy.
Christian Pulisic of United States battles for possession with Denzel Dumfries of Netherlands during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on Dec. 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
Christian Pulisic of United States controls the ball against Ali Karimi of IR Iran during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between IR Iran and USA at Al Thumama Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
Chelsea’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic (R) is challenged by Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on Dec. 26, 2020.
Christian Pulisic of Chelsea wins a header from Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Dec. 26, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution.
Chelsea’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London on Nov. 30, 2019.
Chelsea’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on Dec. 7, 2019.
Christian Pulisic of Chelsea scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Chelsea FC at Turf Moor on Oct. 26, 2019 in Burnley, United Kingdom.
US international Christian Pulisic of Borussia Dortmund (C) pushes the ball looking to get past a trio of LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club) players including Eduard Atuesta (R) during their international footbal friendly match against Borussia Dortmund in Los Angeles, California on May 22, 2018.
Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States controls the ball during the final round qualifying match against Panama for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Orlando City Stadium on Oct. 6, 2017 in Orlando, Florida.
Christian Pulisic of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 13, 2017 in London, United Kingdom.
Dortmund’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic celebrates with the trophy after victory during the German Cup (DFB Pokal) final football match Eintracht Frankfurt v BVB Borussia Dortmund at the Olympic stadium in Berlin on May 27, 2017.
Christian Pulisic #11 of the United States Men’s National Team controls the ball against Guatemala during the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier on March 29, 2016 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The United States defeated Guatemala 4-0.
Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States against England during the Nike International Friendlies at The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch on Nov. 28, 2014 in Sarasota, Florida.1 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic has returned to form with AC Milan and is seen as a crucial USMNT leader ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
See his career in photos starting with Pulisic celebrating after scoring AC Milan’s third goal during the Series A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Friuli on Sept. 20, 2025 in Udine, Italy.
1 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic has returned to form with AC Milan and is seen as a crucial USMNT leader ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
See his career in photos starting with Pulisic celebrating after scoring AC Milan’s third goal during the Series A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Friuli on Sept. 20, 2025 in Udine, Italy.
2 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States and Seungho Paik #8 of Korea Republic via for the ball during an International Friendly at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025 in Harrison, New Jersey.
3 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic of Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 5, 2025 in Genoa, Italy.
4 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 9, 2025 in Milan, Italy.
5 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic of United States battles for possession with Denzel Dumfries of Netherlands during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on Dec. 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
6 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic of United States controls the ball against Ali Karimi of IR Iran during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between IR Iran and USA at Al Thumama Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
7 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Chelsea’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic (R) is challenged by Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on Dec. 26, 2020.
8 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic of Chelsea wins a header from Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Dec. 26, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution.
9 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Chelsea’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London on Nov. 30, 2019.
10 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Chelsea’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on Dec. 7, 2019.
11 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic of Chelsea scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Chelsea FC at Turf Moor on Oct. 26, 2019 in Burnley, United Kingdom.
12 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
US international Christian Pulisic of Borussia Dortmund (C) pushes the ball looking to get past a trio of LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club) players including Eduard Atuesta (R) during their international footbal friendly match against Borussia Dortmund in Los Angeles, California on May 22, 2018.
13 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States controls the ball during the final round qualifying match against Panama for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Orlando City Stadium on Oct. 6, 2017 in Orlando, Florida.
14 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 13, 2017 in London, United Kingdom.
15 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Dortmund’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic celebrates with the trophy after victory during the German Cup (DFB Pokal) final football match Eintracht Frankfurt v BVB Borussia Dortmund at the Olympic stadium in Berlin on May 27, 2017.
16 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic #11 of the United States Men’s National Team controls the ball against Guatemala during the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier on March 29, 2016 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The United States defeated Guatemala 4-0.
17 / 17
Check out Christian Pulisic's soccer career from USMNT to AC Milan
Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States against England during the Nike International Friendlies at The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch on Nov. 28, 2014 in Sarasota, Florida.
After such a conspicuous beginning to his pro career, the chatter around Albert is growing.
Alongside fellow 2009-born prospect Cavan Sullivan, Albert is considered the best young American in his age group. He was on Dortmund’s roster for last summer’s Club World Cup at barely 16, though he didn’t play in the tournament.
If he pushes on to earn more senior minutes next season, the hype will only grow. For a player who is not yet 17, it’s a lot to take in. Albert is trying not to get ahead of himself.
“I don’t really think too far ahead, I just think about what I can do better every day,” he said. “I don’t want to think too much about a big future, because that’s when you know you can’t think too far ahead. You need to think every single day how you can get better.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Borussia Dortmund prospect Mathis Albert talks making Bundesliga history
