April-May 2005: U17 Season Conclusion:
The final ten matches of the U17 season became a showcase. Marco was playing with a confidence and quality that separated him from his peers. Match after match, he delivered:
April Results:
vs. Stuttgart: 2 goals, 1 assist (4-1 win)
vs. Bayern: 1 goal, 2 assists (3-2 win)
vs. Hamburg: 1 goal, 1 assist (2-0 win)
vs. Werder Bremen: 3 assists (5-2 win)
By late April, the German youth football community was buzzing. Scouts attended every Dortmund U17 match. Local newspapers ran features: "Reus: Future is German football?"
He was in the spotlight.
Thomas Krahn called Marco mid-April with news.
"Hello, son. How have you been?"
"I am good. Everything is going okay."
"Hmm, I can see that. Because we've got some inquiries," Krahn said over the phone. "Bayern wants a meeting. Schalke too. Even a Serie A club—Juventus—has asked about your contract situation."
"My contract runs through 2008. Right?"
"I know. But we should start thinking about an extension. Because your value is rising fast. The current deal—€800 a month—doesn't reflect your level anymore. You deserve more. And as the person who represents you, I am here to make sure of that."
"Can it wait until the summer? I want to focus on finishing the season strong."
Krahn chuckled. "Smart. Okay, we'll wait. But son, remember this. While going to higher level might increase your salary, it also pressures you to perform better. And don't jump into anything unless you are ready for it."
Marco felt genuine care from those words. And he couldn't help but feel a slight warmth.
"Okay. Thank you, Krahn."
* * * * *
May 15, 2005 - U17 Season Finale:
The final match of the U17 Bundesliga season: Dortmund vs. Bayer Leverkusen at home, with the league title on the line. Dortmund needed a win to claim first place.
Marco arrived at the stadium two hours early, walking through the empty stands, absorbing the atmosphere. This was his last U17 match—next season, he'd move to U19s. He wanted to end this chapter perfectly.
The match kicked off before a packed crowd of parents, scouts, and local fans. Leverkusen came out aggressively, knowing what was at stake.
28th minute:
Marco received the ball wide left, his usual position. Instead of attacking immediately, he passed it back to the fullback and made a diagonal run inside. The fullback saw it and played a first-time return pass.
Marco controlled with his first touch, shifted right with his second, and shot with his third. Low, hard, bottom corner.
1-0, Dortmund.
63rd minute:
Dortmund counter-attacked from a Leverkusen corner. The ball came to Marco in space, forty yards from goal, with two teammates sprinting forward.
Marco could have shot. Instead, he played a perfectly weighted through ball with his left foot—the weak foot that was weak no longer—splitting the defense completely. The Dortmund striker ran onto it and finished.
2-0, Dortmund.
Final whistle: Dortmund 3-0 Leverkusen.
U17 BUNDESLIGA CHAMPIONS.
The players mobbed each other on the pitch. Parents flooded down from the stands. Coach Werner stood at the sideline, arms crossed, but Marco could see the pride in his expression.
The trophy presentation happened right there—a small ceremony, nothing like what Marco knew would come in future years, but meaningful nonetheless. As captain, Marco lifted the U17 Bundesliga trophy, his teammates around him, cameras flashing.
Season Statistics (Final 10 Matches):
8 goals, 11 assists
Average match rating: 8.7/10
Season Total: 25 goals, 18 assists in 30 matches
U17 Bundesliga top scorer
U17 Bundesliga champion
* * * * *
May 25, 2005 - Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund:
Marco Reus sat in the academy common room, eyes glued to the television screen. He was currently waiting for the historic match to begin.
This game was the miracle that shook the entire world. The game which can be considered an eternal classic final in the champions league history.
May 25, 2005
AC Milan vs Liverpool.
Also known as the Istanbul Miracle.
Around him, two dozen youth players crowded onto sofas and chairs, watching the game unfold.
At halftime, the room was silent. Milan led 3-0. The match seemed over.
"It's decided," someone muttered. "No need to watch anymore."
But Marco didn't move. He knew what was coming—had watched this match a hundred times in his previous life. The greatest comeback in Champions League history. Istanbul. The Miracle.
'Oh...only if he knew...' he said quietly—"Wait, it's not over."
The second half began.
Commentary, 54th min:
"GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL! Gerrard grabs one back and it's 3-1. The Reds have a goal and of course it's the skipper and what a header... Gerrard is first to it, leaping into the air to arc a stunning header into the top corner... The midfielder runs back to his own half, gesticulating to teammates and fans to push on."
Liverpool recycled possession wide to the substitute on the right, 20 yards out. Smicer unleashed a rasping drive that Dida got hands to but couldn't keep out, nestling into the bottom left corner.
"56mins: GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL!! It's 3-2! Where did this come from? Liverpool strike twice in as many minutes, with this one from substitute Smicer. Possession is passed all the way across the field to the Czech, 20 yards from goal, and he tries his luck with a rasping drive which Dida gets hands to but can't keep out. Milan are flailing slightly and the Reds have momentum."
Gerrard surged into the box on a Baroš lay-off and drew a foul from Gattuso, earning a penalty. Alonso's initial spot-kick was saved by Dida, but he reacted quickest to smash the rebound into the roof of the net.
"59mins: PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!!
60mins: GOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! This. Is. Incredible. Xabi Alonso steps up to the spot and after his penalty is brilliantly saved by Dida, the Spaniard follows up to fire the rebound into the roof of the net. Gerrard had won the spot-kick... Against all the odds, a miracle has unfolded - it's 3-3 at the Ataturk. Three goals in six minutes for Liverpool."
The common room exploded. Players on their feet, shouting at the screen.
Marco watched the chaos around him, but his mind was elsewhere.
He'd seen this before, yes. But experiencing it now—as a 16-year-old professional footballer watching his peers go mad with joy—it hit differently.
This is what I'm working for, he thought. This moment. This trophy. This glory.
The match went to penalties. Liverpool won.
As his teammates celebrated—some crying, others jumping on furniture—Marco stayed seated, absorbing it all.
Tim dropped onto the sofa beside him, breathless from celebrating. "Can you imagine, Marco? Playing in a Champions League final?"
Marco turned to his roommate and smiled. "I will. One day. I am sure of it." He said confidently.
Tim laughed, thinking it was youthful bravado. But Marco's eyes were serious.
2013, he thought. That's my chance.
* * * * *
Late May 2005 - Germany U17 Elite Round:
Two weeks after the U17 Bundesliga finale, Marco joined the German national team again for the UEFA U17 Championship Elite Round—the second stage of qualification before the final tournament.
Germany faced three opponents in a four-day span: Netherlands, Belgium, and Poland. The top two teams would advance to the main championship.
Match 1: Germany 2-1 Netherlands
Marco: 1 goal, 1 assist
Dominant performance against strong Dutch side
Match 2: Germany 3-0 Belgium
Marco: 2 assists
Germany controlled throughout
Match 3: Germany 2-2 Poland
Marco: 1 goal
Draw enough to advance as group winners
GERMANY QUALIFIES FOR UEFA U17 CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
The tournament would be held in Italy in August. Germany had punched their ticket.
In the locker room after the Poland match, Coach Müller addressed the team:
"Gentlemen, we're going to Italy. We're going to compete for the European Championship. You have the summer to rest, develop with your clubs, and prepare. When we reconvene in August, we'll be ready to show Europe what German football can do."
He looked at Marco specifically. "Reus, you've been exceptional throughout these qualifiers. Keep this level, and you'll have a special tournament in Italy."
"Yes, Coach."