Resilience and commercial growth define Diego Luna's campaign for the 2026 World Cup squad
Pochettino's admiration for Luna's toughness during a January friendly contrasts with the player's current focus on club form and commercial partnerships ahead of the May roster announcement.
Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna has garnered significant attention from United States men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino following a January friendly where he played through a broken nose to deliver an assist. This display of resilience earned him the colloquial nickname 'Big Balls' and has bolstered his campaign for a spot in the upcoming 2026 World Cup squad, even as he navigates the complexities of the selection process.
Although Luna missed the final March international break due to club commitments with Real Salt Lake, his current form keeps him in contention ahead of the squad announcement expected on 26 May. The 22-year-old has recorded three goals and an assist in seven appearances as he regains fitness, demonstrating the staying power that Pochettino values when digging deep into the depth chart.
Beyond the pitch, Luna is increasingly recognised as a leadership figure at Real Salt Lake, mentoring younger players like Zavier Gozo and Aiden Herzarkhani. At 22, he is considered one of the veterans of the squad despite his age, a role he fulfils by letting his work ethic speak while contributing to team strategy and communication on the field.
Luna has also secured a commercial partnership with Head & Shoulders, becoming one of the prominent faces of Major League Soccer. Recognised widely in USMNT content and across the league, he has embraced this growing profile as a testament to the sacrifices made during his journey to become a household name in American football.
While the final 26-player squad remains unconfirmed and Luna's future plans include a potential move to a European club, no specific destination or timeline has been confirmed. The impact of missing the March break on his selection chances is speculative, as Pochettino may still consider his January performance and current club form when finalising the roster.
Luna remains focused on his club form with Real Salt Lake while growing into a leadership role and becoming a prominent face for the league. He has stated that his daily focus is on performing with the club and securing wins until the time for World Cup roster announcements arrives, ensuring he has done what is needed to make Pochettino's job difficult.
