Get ready to see more of Diego Luna, USMNT fans.
U.S. men's national team player, Diego Luna, faced an early setback during the January camp match against Costa Rica on Wednesday, with the attacker suffering a gruesome injury when a Costa Rican defender inadvertently elbowed him in the face, resulting in a broken nose.
Pochettino being a soccer dad and helping Diego Luna put a clean shirt back on pic.twitter.com/UrnxnQpezr
— USMNT NATION (@USMNTvsHaters) January 23, 2025
Despite the blood pouring from his injury and the low-stake match, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino allowed Luna to stay on the field. After receiving treatment on the sidelines, he returned to the pitch sporting a new jersey and cotton stuffed in his nostrils, ready to contribute for what remained in the match. And he did so, almost immediately.
Watch: Diego Luna breaks nose; provides assist minutes later
Only minutes after coming back on, Luna made an immediate impact — executing a brilliantly timed assist to striker Brian White, setting up the opening goal for the U.S. in the 21st minute.
games are always more fun when diego luna is playing
— Ben Wright (@benwright) January 23, 2025
Following the match, which ended in a 3-0 victory for the U.S., Pochettino commended Luna for his determination, exclaiming in a post-match interview that the young attacker had "big balls" for continuing to play through the sustained injury. The phrase quickly became a trending topic on USMNT Twitter (now X).
Poch says Diego Luna has big balls after playing vs. Costa Rica with a broken nose pic.twitter.com/6sQEYFL5QG
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 23, 2025
"I said: big balls. ... He showed great character."
Mauricio Pochettino on TNT's postgame show on Diego Luna breaking his nose, asking him to stay in the match, coming back onto the pitch and assisting on his first action after coming on.WARRIOR. pic.twitter.com/Or6W1j9YFL
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) January 23, 2025
Diego ‘Big Balls’ Luna changed his profile pic pic.twitter.com/7DRYKQIsWW
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) January 23, 2025
Update: Diego “Big ⚽️s” Luna is okay y’all https://t.co/xhYQXnGm2E
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) January 23, 2025
This high-praise for Luna comes following a turbulent 2024 with the national team after Luna was ‘snubbed’ from a spot in Team USA’s Paris Olympics roster while also missing a number of USMNT’s call-ups despite his impressive 2024 MLS Season, ending the campaign as the league’s Young Player of the Year.
