The USMNT star discussed his approach to handling the increasing attention, transfer speculation, and expectations that has come with his performances
Luna emphasizes importance of maintaining focus despite external noiseRSL star credits support system for keeping him groundedLuna also talks about his career so farGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna spoke candidly about the challenges of managing his rapidly growing profile in American soccer. The 21-year-old was recently named MLS Young Player of the Year for his performances in the 2024 season, where he had 20 goal contributions. It has led to increased attention and speculation about his future, and Luna discussed his mental approach to handling transfer speculation, social media attention, and the pressures that accompany all that.
“Yeah for me, it’s all just talks and whatever. I always tell my agents and people around me that I don’t want to hear anything about what’s going on unless I have to make a decision,” Luna told . “Unless it’s something that it’s right there, at that moment and ok, we need to look in this deep. So, I kind of try to tell them to keep that stuff away from me because it’s all just talk and as you know there’s people that talk good, talk bad and it’s everywhere so I kinda like to stay away from that.”
“And yeah, I think for me it’s just naturally just chilling, playing soccer and you know, working hard providing for my family and you know whatever comes from that and whatever comes from performing, we’ll talk about it.”
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The 21-year-old also opened up about how hard it was to step into a locker room at the age of 17 alongside grown men and professional footballers when he first broke out.
“Yeah, I think that was a whole other journey on itself,” Luna revealed on his first professional move to El Paso Locomotive. “Moving away to another place where you don’t know anybody, and this time it’s the real deal, right? You’re getting paid to do this, to perform and being a 17-year-old stepping into a locker filled with grown men, it was hard.
“But it took a lot of confidence at the right time to understand that I’m meant to be there and to perform, and of course, the trust in the coach, at the time Mark Lowry, who gave me the opportunity to perform.”
Luna further expanded on his pathway into professional football and admitted that while it wasn’t the traditional route, it worked for him.
“You know, I think each player has their own pathway, I can really say that it’s better one way or the other but for me, it was the pathway that I took, that I felt was right for me,” Luna mentioned. “I think I made sacrifices and the decisions that I think when I needed to be challenged is when I took that next step.
“I didn’t like to be comfortable and not grow and not learn about the game or myself or be challenged, and each time I was [comfortable], I made that leap. So for me it was, you know it’s cool to say it’s not the original pathway that people have in mind, but I’m proud to say that I made it this way.”
Outside of club football, Luna has also been regularly appearing for the USMNT and opened up about the 2026 World Cup and what it means for the US and Mexico.
“I think for me right now it’s, you know, just besides me playing and the soccer part, it’s just amazing to have the World Cup here, in the USA and Mexico, it’s crazy. So, besides all that, and now putting in the aspect that I am having the opportunity to perform and be in that circle of players that could be chosen for this, so I think that’s very exciting. And that just gives me another thing and motivation to work for and work harder now than ever to be able to be on that roster,” Luna added.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The 21-year-old Real Salt Lake star enjoyed a career-high campaign in the 2024 season for Real Salt Lake as he contributed to 20 goals across all competitions with 16 of those coming in the MLS. Things haven’t quite gone Luna’s way this term as he’s only managed three goal contributions in eight appearances, but the attacker’s form is picking up as he scored a brace in the club’s win over LA Galaxy a few weeks ago.
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
With his red card rescinded, Diego Luna is free to play for Real Salt Lake again as they face San Diego FC on April 26 in the MLS before another road game against the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 3. The are enduring a tough start to the season and currently sit ninth on the Western Conference with as many points to their name after three wins and six losses.
