Diego Luna shares what ‘broke his heart’ while watching the 1986 World Cup

Diego Luna says he “vividly” remembers getting into the World Cup spirit as a child, cheering on Mexico as they made it into the quarterfinals in 1986.

The actor stars and executive produces Netflix’s new film, “Mexico 86,” a comedy loosely based on how the country became the host of the 1986 FIFA World Cup after Colombia stepped down. For him, the story hit close to home as he recalls believing that his home team would become the champions.

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Unfortunately, then-West Germany defeated Mexico 4-1 after penalties. But a young Luna watched the matches with enthusiasm.

Below, in his own words and translated from Spanish, Luna shares his World Cup memories, as well as what he’s most looking forward to as another tournament is underway.

What is your earliest memory of watching a World Cup?

My first World Cup was the one depicted in the film in 1986. I was about to turn seven, and I remember experiencing Mexico’s matches with great excitement.

I didn’t know who our team was, I didn’t know we played so badly. And suddenly, in that World Cup, the team stood out for playing very cohesive soccer that gave people a lot of hope.

We started by winning that World Cup. So, I remember it very vividly. I remember having bought into the idea that (the team) could do something different. What broke my heart was the match against Germany, which I’m also sure we were blatantly robbed. That match was played in Monterrey, and for a good part of the game it seemed like Mexico was going to beat Germany.

The World Cup is about competition. Who’s your biggest supporter or competition in your career?

I don’t work in a field that bases achievements on competition. I work in a field that, fortunately, gives space to multiple voices, to diverse voices.

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And you don’t compete against anyone; at most, you compete against your own ideas. But no, competition isn’t the basis of what we do.

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Sometimes at festivals they put you up against other films, but I don’t value that because that’s not why I do it. It’s not about doing this to surpass others but simply to find audiences and open dialogues, generate laughter and generate debate and reflection. That’s what I do.

And fortunately, I can do that at the same time as others are doing the same thing. There’s no sense of competition or of triumph. Triumph has to do with the personal journey.

What are you most looking forward to during the World Cup?

I’m curious to see what happens with the Mexican team. There are so many unknowns now about what they can and can’t do. There’s a 17-year-old Mexican player named Gilberto Mora who’s going to play.

It’s the first time there’s such a young player (on the Mexican team). He’s so different. I hope he does well and I’m looking forward to seeing how he performs in the World Cup.

But I’m going with low expectations. I like when the World Cup surprises me, you know? I’ve been supporting Mexico for a long time now, and Mexico usually loses.

(But I support) because soccer is about not just who wins and who loses, but the little things that happen around the sport and on the pitch that are beautiful.