Diego Luna has quickly become the breakout star of the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) this summer. Heading into the Gold Cup, few fans expected the Real Salt Lake midfielder to FIFA 26 Coins make a significant impact, but three goals later and a heroic performance against Costa Rica, Luna has cemented himself as a player worth watching. Yet in EA Sports' FC 26, he still sits far below where many would expect, particularly among FC 26 Players representing the United States.

So where does Luna truly belong among the American talent pool, and why hasn't his rise been reflected in the game? The answer lies in the intersection between player perception, in-game mechanics, and the realities of football's global market, both in real life and in FIFA 25 Coins value.

Luna's Journey

A dual national of Mexican-American descent, Luna has had to claw his way into national team consideration. Early in 2024, he was still on the outside looking in. But a gritty performance in a friendly against Costa Rica, in which he assisted a goal despite playing through a broken nose, caught the attention of then-new USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Now, in the summer of 2025, Luna has become one of the most effective players in the U.S. squad. Alongside goalkeeper Matt Freese, he's been key in propelling the team to the Gold Cup final against rivals Mexico. For fans, his heart, skill, and energy are obvious. But EA Sports' FC 26 seems slower to catch on.

FC 26's Take on Diego Luna

In EA Sports FC 26, Luna is rated just 71 overall, a figure that doesn't match his recent form or his rising stock among American soccer fans. The game lists him as a left winger, where he's behind Alejandro Zendejas, Kevin Paredes, and Brenden Aaronson, all promising players, but not necessarily more impactful than Luna has been in 2025.

This low rating is a reflection of how EA evaluates talent, often giving higher marks to players in Europe's top leagues while underestimating those still in Major League Soccer. Because Luna plays for Real Salt Lake, he simply doesn't carry the same prestige, especially when compared to Premier League-based players like Aaronson, who still benefits from Leeds United visibility, even after a lackluster year.

For FC 26 Players building Ultimate Team squads, this means Luna isn't viewed as a viable card, not yet, anyway. He's not a regular on the meta radar, and his cards aren't fetching many FIFA 25 Coins on the transfer market, making him a budget option rather than a competitive pick.

A Case for a Ratings Boost

If we evaluate Luna based on his actual performances in 2025, there's little reason he should be rated below 75. His recent goal-scoring prowess, tactical flexibility, and physicality, all while playing through injury and under pressure, deserve recognition.

Let's compare:

    Brenden Aaronson: Known for his work rate and occasional flair, but hasn't made consistent impact at club or country level recently.

    Alejandro Zendejas: Technically gifted, but often disappears in key moments.

    Kevin Paredes: Promising Bundesliga prospect, but not a regular contributor.

Luna, on the other hand, has produced in clutch moments, Gold Cup goals, consistent threat in buy EAFC 26 Coins midfield, and the kind of grit the U.S. often lacks. His game might not have European polish, but it has American backbone, and that should count for something in FC 26 rankings.