Mathis Albert became the youngest American to debut in the German Bundesliga — one of Europe’s top leagues — coming into Borussia Dortmund’s 4-0 win over Freiburg on Sunday, April 26.
Albert was born May 21, 2009, making him 16 years, 11 months and 12 days old, younger than previous record-holder Gio Reyna who was 17 years, 2 months and 5 days when he debuted for the same Borussia Dortmund team in 2020. Reyna’s debut broke Christian Pulisic’s record
Albert was born in South Carolina but moved to Southern California and drew the attention of European scouts as a player in the LA Galaxy academy.
He represented the United States at the 2025 U-17 World Cup, scoring once as the U.S. made it undefeated through the group stage and converting his penalty in a shootout loss to Morocco in the Round of 32.
Welcome to the Bundesliga and senior football, Mathis Albert 👏
16-year-old American out of Greenville, South Carolina 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/xsPJPKnSLA
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 26, 2026
The pro minutes come after a number of impressive showings at the youth levels and in the UEFA Youth League.
“I started performing right away, but it felt so hard,” Albert told Goal last year. “Going to training and games was great but, after that, it’s like, ‘Oh, (expletive), I’m thousands of miles from home.’ I still feel that, sometimes. It’s hard being away from LA. In the beginning, I struggled, but then my family visited and everything started clicking.”
While Albert’s debut puts him ahead of Reyna and Pulisic, some might point to a Bundesliga rule that previously prevented players from being registered before they entered a season in which they would turn 17. The rule was modified in 2020 to allow 16-year-olds such as then-Dortmund prospect Youssoufa Moukoko to suit up.
Dortmund confirmed its UEFA Champions League place for next season with the win, and Albert will hope to earn time in the remaining three matches of the Bundesliga season.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mathis Albert becomes youngest-ever American to play in Bundesliga