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News, Blog and GuidesThe Real Salt Lake forward has been one of this year’s break-out MLS stars and has already appeared for the United States’ U20 side.
Eduardo Burgos Rodríguezedu17burgosWilliam GittinsWillGittUpdate: Nov 15th, 2023 09:40 EST
Troy TaorminaUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Diego Luna’s MLS campaign may have ended in penalty heartbreak, but the 20-year-old forward still had a season to remember.
The California-born youngster scored seven goals in 32 outings for Real Salt Lake, including two goals in three playoff appearances. He offered a crucial alternative in an RSL attack that had become over-reliant on Chicho Arango, bringing pace and a directness to the frontline.
Luna has made 21 appearances for the United States Under-20 side and has been tipped for a call-up to the senior team in the near future. But in a recent interview with The Athletic, he revealed that he would also be interested in representing Mexico.
“Everybody wants to play international football, right?” Luna said. “That’s a dream of theirs. Mexico is definitely not a closed door — it’s an open door. Of course, it’s all about what’s right for me, what’s going to be the best opportunity, stuff like that.”
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Diego Luna made his United States U-20 debut in 2021 and has continued to impress.Marcelo RuizEFE
“Of course, with the US in the (Under-20) World Cup and multiple camps, the CONCACAF (Under-20 Championship), all of that, it would be cool to finally make it to the senior level with the US.”
“But of course, any door and any opportunity given at the right time and the right situation — yeah, the door for Mexico is open. I wouldn’t shut that out.”
Will Diego Luna stay in MLS?
Such is the excitement around Luna, there has already been talk of a move overseas to test himself in some of the major European leagues. He only joined RSL last year, for a USL record fee of $250,000.
Ahead of that move he trialled with Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht and Luna admitted that he would like to play in Europe one day.
“There’s clubs that I’m interested in, that caught my eye — Anderlecht, teams in France, teams in Italy that play a style that I could really fit in and help,” Luna said.
“It’s all about the right place at the right time that’s going to help the player succeed and, of course, help the team succeed. I think it’s all about what’s going on at that certain time.”
DIEGO LUNA STUNS THE DYNAMO.All square in Houston!#RSL // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Ws9mos803i
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 29, 2023
It seems unlikely that this winter will be the time for him to make the move. Diego Luna signed his first professional contract more than two years ago but he only recently turned 20. He is now one of the most exciting young players in MLS, but he is not looking to make a sudden leap to the elite level.
