Who is Diego Luna? USA breakout star talked about Mexico, Tattoo and Inspiration

Dug McIntire

Football journalist

Seven months ago, American football fans Diego Luna was known as the person who broke his nose.

He is now a breakout star for the American men’s national team, and he is on the verge of a Gold Cup trophy against rivals Mexico.

Diego Luna has gone away from a broken nose to become a breakout star for the American men’s team this year. (Getty image)

Prior to that injury in a game against Costa Rica in January, it is an incident for 21 years, which is recognized by her platinum hair and her tattoo. In the last summer, he was cut off from the US Olympic team before the Paris Games. He became the father of a child. He was recently voted for MLS All-Star for his club Real Salt Lake.

Now, he is scoring goals and provoking USMNT fans, who will expect the 5 -foot -8 playmaker to stand out against Mexico at Sunday’s grand finale in Houston once again (coverage starts with ET at 6 pm).

Either way, Luna’s large summer has placed her in a major position to play her way on the USMNT roster for the 2026 World Cup.

I caught with an electric playmaker about cheering for the US in Mexico as a child, his inspiration, and if he picks up the Gold Cup, he plans to get another tattoo.

What is your initial memory of football? When do you remember to know about the game for the first time?

I think the bus is getting in a field with his elder brother, and my father was coaching. I think I was about four.

What is your first memory of the US-Maxico rivalry?

I know a story is going on, but I remember that, like, a family meeting. Half of my family lies for Mexico. I was cheering for America I remember that whenever Mexico score was going crazy. It was like a small beef between me and my family members, there would be very few comments. But it was good. It was all fun. I don’t remember which game it was. I think this was the same where Geovani Dos Santos scored on a chip [for Mexico in the 2011 Gold Cup final],

You are from California, but you could represent Mexico instead of America, it was both like being an option?

Yes, they contacted me about playing for them when I was with [U.S.] Under -20s. But he was long ago.

Was you a fan of a particular team?

I always like real Madrid. And my brother was a big liverpool fan, so I also loved to see him.

Who was your favorite player?

Marco Ress. The way he just played me, the way he controlled the game. It is very bad that I have not yet got a chance to play against him in MLS.

A kind of two? Germany is a favorite of star Marco Rece Diego Luna. (Getty image)

Are you a fan of other sports teams?

Not necessarily I like golf and boxing. I am like Dallas Cowboy. It was great that we were able to use their locker room a few weeks ago. [for the win over Haiti in the Gold Cup group stage],

Favorite athlete out of football?

Tiger Woods. Canelo [Álvarez, the Mexican boxer]Serena Williams.

Did you play games other than football as a child?

You may be surprised, but I played volleyball and basketball.

Diego Luna may not stand on some of his USMNT team colleagues, but he has been a standout player in this Gold Cup. (Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photo/USSF/Getty Image)

When you were at the Barcelona Residency Academy in Arizona, you overlap with Mexico defender Julian Arujo. What would it be like to face him in the final?

It would be good. He is two years older than me, so we didn’t really play together. But it is always good to see people you know that they are successful.

What would you be doing if you were not a football player?

Man, it is difficult. Can be a fire fighter.

Okay, obviously I have to ask about your bats. How many do you have?

Honestly, I don’t even know. … It is really difficult to say. Do I count everyone separately on my fingers?

I know that you found the first person to remember your niece’s birthday. how old is she now? Does she know about it?

Yes, she knows about it. He is now seven. She thinks that it is good.

Does she know that you kiss the wrist when you score?

I think it will be now. My son’s name is also on the same wrist, so it is also part of it.

Diego Luna, after scoring a goal, a signature celebration of kissing his tattoo to honor his family. (Photo through Getty Image by Jeremy Olson/ISI Photo/ISI Photo)

If you win the Gold Cup, will you get a new tattoo?

Yes, of course. I don’t know what is really yet but yes.

Who has been the most influential person in your life?

My father. He has always been for me, and he made a lot of sacrifices for me.

What has been the most difficult moment of your career so far?

The Olympic team was not forming last year. It is really hurt. I had to refort and ensure that I was being positive and I doubled when I was in work. It was a great disappointment at the moment but it helped me finally, you know? That shock helped me reach where I am today.

What is your final goal in football?

I want to take care of my family, make sure they are safe, capable of securing their future financially. Right now, everything is about my son. He inspires me to push. Being a son, everything has really been put in perspective for me.

Doug McIntair is a football reporter for Fox Sports that has covered United States Men and women national teams at the FIFA World Cup on five continents. His chase @Bydougmcintyre,

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