Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images

Diego Luna Breaks Silence on Choosing USMNT Over Mexico

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Manuel Meza Cienfuegos | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 4:39 PM ET

Diego Luna is one of the biggest talents in Major League Soccer right now. The Real Salt Lake No. 10 is ready for the 2026 season and spoke about it on "Shoot For The Moon."

Luna, 22, talked about his ambitions, his beginnings and inspirations, and also touched on why he chose to represent the United States instead of Mexico at the international level.

Luna's parents are Mexican, originally from Michoacan. However, the young player was born in Sunnyvale, California, and recognized that this was already a very big reason to choose the USMNT.

"I was born and raised here in the U.S., and I think that's pretty much already a big, you know, decision of who I would want to play for," Luna said.

Diego Luna #10 of the United States (USMNT) brings the ball forward during an international friendly game between Turkey and the United States (USMNT) at Pratt & Whitney Stadium on June 7, 2025, in East Hartford, Connecticut.Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Diego Luna Finally Addresses USMNT Choice Over Mexico

"There was always thoughts of playing for either country, right, for playing for Mexico or the U.S.," the Real Salt Lake No. 10 acknowledged.

Luna wanted to highlight that he is proud of who he is, and defines himself not as Mexican or American, but as Mexican-American.

"I'm Mexican-American. That's how it is. I'm Mexican-American. My family, proud Mexicans, and I was born here in the States, and I'm a proud Mexican-American."

Then, he added, "So I think it was just really based on what country was going to give me the opportunity. And off that, what country was I born in and what country has given me the life and the soccer to be able to even play at the national team, right, with professional, with academy, and stuff like that."

"It definitely did not mean that I was ashamed to play for Mexico or that I didn't want to play for Mexico. But I think it was just a choice that was from the heart and what felt more comfortable for me, and what the U.S. has given me the opportunity to showcase myself and to really perform at the levels that I wanted to perform at," he finished.