Which Borussia Dortmund player were you secretly a fan of over the years?

"If there's one player who embodied loyalty in the modern era, it was Reus. Supremely talented, endlessly unlucky with injuries, and fiercely devoted to Dortmund. There was something admirable about a player who stayed when he could have left for Europe's superpowers in his prime. On his day, he was electric - glide past a defender, curl one into the top corner, and make it look effortless."

"Before becoming a legend at Bayern Munich, Lewandowski was already a clinical assassin in Borussia Dortmund yellow. The four-goal demolition of Real Madrid in 2013 remains one of the greatest Champions League performances ever. Even before his controversial free transfer, you could see the machine-like efficiency: perfect positioning, ruthless finishing, relentless work rate."

"Elegant center-backs are rare. Hummels made defending look intellectual. His anticipation, composure on the ball, and long-range passing gave Borussia Dortmund's buildup structure and confidence. There's always appreciation for defenders who can read the game two steps ahead."

Borussia Dortmund has developed remarkable players who earned admiration even from opposing supporters. Marco Reus exemplified loyalty and talent, remaining at the club despite injury setbacks and opportunities elsewhere. Robert Lewandowski demonstrated clinical finishing and positioning before his Bayern Munich move, highlighted by his four-goal Champions League performance against Real Madrid. Mats Hummels brought intellectual defending and technical ball-playing to the center-back position, reading the game with exceptional anticipation. Mario Götze showcased silky, intelligent playmaking as Dortmund's golden boy under Jürgen Klopp. These players transcended typical rivalry dynamics, earning quiet respect for their exceptional abilities and contributions to the club.

Read at Bavarian Football Works