Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna pointed to his lifelong attachment to the United States as his primary reason for choosing to represent Mauricio Pochettino’s side instead of Mexico.
Luna, 22 years old, represented the U.S. at multiple youth levels early in his career, earning his first senior call-up in 2024. After declining to serve as an alternate in the Summer Olympics that year, Luna was open to switching his allegiance to Mexico as the U.S. risked losing an up-and-coming talent. His patience was rewarded after Mauricio Pochettino took over, becoming a fixture in multiple international windows leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
“Both [of my] parents are from Michoacán, Mexico. I was born here in the States, in California. I grew up with a Mexican background, but at the same time, I’ve also grown up in the U.S., I’ve been here my whole life,” Luna said to TNT Sports.
“For me, it’s easy being able to choose to play for the U.S., the U.S. has given me everything, given me all the opportunities, the chances to be here.”
