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\n\tThis story is part of Billboard\u2019s Global<\/a> World Cup<\/a> Series, a collection of 11 cover stories which pairs top soccer stars across the world competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with highly-touted musicians in accompanying countries.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWhen are we dropping the next hit?\u201d Lucho D\u00edaz asks Ryan Castro with a laugh, as they switch roles to interview each other for Billboard Colombia<\/a> <\/em>as the stars of\u00a0Billboard<\/em>\u2018s Global World Cup Series, in a special edition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tMore than an interview, it felt like a conversation between two friends whose bond was sealed with \u201cEL RITMO QUE NOS UNE,\u201d the anthem that accompanied Colombia\u2019s national team during the 2024 Copa Am\u00e9rica. From Orlando, Florida \u2014 where La Tricolor was holding its training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup \u2014 Ryan and Lucho reunited with hugs, inside jokes and music talk, especially around \u201cLa Promesa,\u201d the champeta track that marked Lucho\u2019s debut as a solo artist.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tThis was no ordinary meeting. Sitting face-to-face were two of Colombia\u2019s biggest names of the moment. On one side, Lucho D\u00edaz, star of Colombia\u2019s national team and the country\u2019s all-time top scorer in Champions League history. On the other, Ryan Castro, one of the strongest voices in urban music and the artist with the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Colombia Hot 100<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tWhile one represents Colombia from the soccer field and the other from the stage, both speak the same language: the language of the Ghetto. Ryan grew up in Pedregal, Medell\u00edn, dreaming of becoming a reggaet\u00f3n artist while surviving through different jobs, including working as a waiter in Cura\u00e7ao. Lucho, from Barrancas, La Guajira, played barefoot soccer among dust, vallenato<\/em> music and financial struggles, dreaming of making it to the biggest leagues in the world.<\/p>\n \n\tToday, both of them bring stadiums to life, each in his own way: one by scoring goals and the other by singing. With the hope of continuing to celebrate goals in the Ghetto \u2014 and hopefully also in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final \u2014 they sat face-to-face to talk about music, soccer, dreams, and even a possible new musical collaboration.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tLucho D\u00edaz: I\u2019ll go first so the pressure\u2019s on you. As an artist, what do you admire most about athletes?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tRyan Castro: <\/strong>Wow, I think what I admire most \u2014 and what\u2019s the hardest part \u2014 is the discipline of training every day.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tCastro: As an athlete, what do you admire most about musicians?<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tD\u00edaz: <\/strong>Being able to sing, bro. Having the talent to sing, create and write \u2014 that\u2019s the hardest thing to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tLucho D\u00edaz<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNatalia Aguilera<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tD\u00edaz: Do you think musicians and athletes have more in common than people think?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"music](\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/cover-world-cup-billboard-colombia-lucho-diaz-natalia-aguilera-1200.jpg?w=240\")
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