Football fans love reunions just as much as anyone—whether it’s seeing your favorite players back on the same team or reliving old glories, there’s something special about it.
Sadly, some of the reunions we’ve longed for never happened. Here are 5 football reunions that, despite all the hype, heartbreakingly never came to fruition.
5. Steven Gerrard & Xabi Alonso – The Liverpool Legends
Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso were a midfield duo that orchestrated magic at Liverpool between 2004 and 2009. When Alonso left for Real Madrid, many believed Gerrard would follow, especially after approaches from José Mourinho. There were multiple occasions where this reunion seemed close, but Gerrard chose loyalty to Liverpool, turning down Madrid.
Fans were left wondering what might have been if these two had reunited, especially as Gerrard’s career was winding down. A Gerrard-Alonso midfield pairing again would have been legendary.
4. Robert Lewandowski & Marco Reus – Dortmund’s Dream Duo
Between 2012 and 2014, Lewandowski and Reus formed a dynamic partnership at Borussia Dortmund under Jürgen Klopp. Many hoped that after Lewandowski left for Bayern Munich in 2014, Reus would eventually follow. Yet, despite strong links, Reus stayed loyal to Dortmund.
Their chemistry on the pitch was undeniable, but Reus choosing loyalty over a reunion made this one that fans could only dream of. Even that famous moment when the two smiled at each other before a Der Klassiker match wasn’t enough to make it happen.
3. Lionel Messi & Pep Guardiola – The Genius Duo
No one can forget the legendary partnership between Messi and Pep Guardiola during their time at Barcelona. Between 2008 and 2012, the pair redefined football. When Messi announced in 2020 that he wanted to leave Barcelona, the football world eagerly anticipated a reunion at Manchester City under Pep.
But it wasn’t meant to be. Despite strong links, Messi ultimately stayed at Barcelona longer, and when he did leave, it wasn’t to City. Guardiola remains one of Messi’s biggest admirers, but this dream reunion never became reality.
2. Mario Götze & Jürgen Klopp – Dortmund’s Golden Boy and Mastermind
Mario Götze and Jürgen Klopp had a special connection at Borussia Dortmund. Klopp was the manager who gave Götze his breakthrough, and under his guidance, Götze became one of Europe’s hottest prospects. But when Götze made a controversial move to Bayern Munich in 2013, fans hoped for a reunion.
In 2016, Götze returned to Dortmund, but Klopp had already left for Liverpool. Many thought Klopp might bring Götze to Anfield, but that move never happened, and the player-coach duo never reunited, leaving a hole in the hearts of Dortmund and Liverpool fans alike.
1. Declan Rice & Mason Mount – The Childhood Friends
Declan Rice and Mason Mount grew up together in the Chelsea academy, and fans hoped that one day they would reunite at Stamford Bridge after Rice’s success at West Ham. As Rice was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, Mount was a key player in the team.
However, things didn’t play out as expected. Chelsea failed to land Rice, who went to Arsenal, while Mount left for Manchester United. Though still young, the chance to see them reunite at Chelsea during their prime is long gone.
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