Mercedes “Meme” Diz is going through one of the most important years of her career. At just 17 years old, the River player left her mark in three categories of the Argentine National Team. From the Major League's qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil to her present in Morocco, the Navarro-born soccer player builds her own history in women's soccer.
His 2026 brings together moments that deserve to be told separately, but that are also part of the same journey: the growth in River, the World Cup experience with the Under 20, a decisive goal with the Major and an outstanding performance in the Under 17 World Cup.
A goal to take Argentina to the World Cup: Meme Diz's celebration against Peru in the Nations League
One of the most significant moments of the year came on June 6, when Diz debuted with the Senior National Team against Peru, in the Nations League. In her first appearance, the forward scored the goal for a 1-1 draw, a result that ensured Argentina's qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Meme Diz's first goal in the Senior National Team qualified the Albiceleste for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. (Photo: ph.juanecannataro)
At only 17 years old, Mechi was the protagonist of a match that will be linked to one of the team's great objectives. His goal was not just another one: it meant passage to the next World Cup and marked a special beginning in his journey with the Major.
From the South American to the U-20 World Cup: Meme Diz's first World Cup
Before her debut with the Major, Diz had been one of the protagonists of the Under 20 National Team. In the South American category, first, she had scored a hat-trick against Colombia, an outstanding performance on the way to qualifying for the World Cup in Poland.
Already in the World Cup competition, he found the goal again. In the 8-0 victory against Benin he scored two goals and helped Argentina achieve its first victory in the competition. The team advanced to the round of 16, where it was eliminated after losing 1-0 against South Korea.
Before traveling to Poland, Meme had spoken with FutFemGol about what it meant to represent the country and share the experience with her teammates. “It is an immense pride to be able to represent these colors, this shirt,” he expressed. He also described the team as a family.
Morocco, the scene of a new historic brand for Mercedes "Meme" Diz
Diz's present takes place at the Under 17 World Cup in Morocco, Argentina's first participation in the history of the women's competition, where the forward once again demonstrated her scoring ability.
In the debut against Germany, the Navarro native scored the first Argentine goal in the history of the U17 Women's World Cup. Although the team lost 2-1, her goal was recorded as a historic moment for national women's football.
In the second match, against New Zealand, Mechi scored both goals in the 2-0 victory. The result meant Argentina's first victory in the competition and kept the team in the race to qualify for the round of 16.
In the last game of the group stage, against the host Morocco, the striker was once again decisive: he scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 5-1 victory and reached six goals in three games. In this way, she became one of the great protagonists of the group stage.
Three games, six goals and a historic participation for Argentina in its first Under 17 World Cup: Mercedes is positioned as the second top scorer in this tournament, only behind the American Maddie DiMaria who leads the table with 10 goals, and excites us for what is to come.
River, the place where Meme began to build her path: the day Marcelo Gallardo's father wanted her for the Millionaire
His debut in Primera came in August 2025, against Vélez, and on November 9 of that year he had his first start against S.A.T., in the round of 16 of the second tournament of the season.
His first official goal in the top category came on March 20, 2026, in the 2-0 victory against Independiente, for the second date of the Apertura Tournament.
During the second tournament in 2025, he started in the round of 16 and quarterfinals and in both semifinal matches. In the championship he added 13 starts in 17 games, while in the current tournament he accumulated seven games since the beginning.
But before that, in 2019, Máximo Gallardo, Marcelo's father, went to Navarro to watch a men's test and Meme was there, dressed as a soccer player with her father, Facundo, and Diego Barrado, both former soccer players.
It was precisely Barrado, a friend of the Diz family, who suggested to Máximo that he give Meme and his sister a test. They both played with the men and Meme did very well: she scored a goal and dazzled the Doll's father, who did not hesitate to claim her for the Millionaire.
Meme scored the goal that gave River the victory in the Superclásico on Boca's field after almost 29 years. (Photo: @dizmercedes)
However, Meme did not travel to Buenos Aires: she was barely 10 years old and did not feel prepared for such a big step. But the level of the soccer player meant that years later, when her sisters traveled to study, she joined the Sub 16 team of the Núñez team.
As the years went by, he advanced through the training categories and also stood out in the Reserve, where he scored 13 goals in seven games. Those numbers anticipated a scoring capacity that today is reflected both in River and in the different Argentine teams.
In total, Meme has registered 24 games and nine goals in the First Division in River, with two goals in Superclásicos. One of them had a special meaning, since this year he scored the goal that gave River the victory against Boca in Casa Amarilla, a victory that ended a streak of almost 29 years without victories for the Millonario on that stage.
Also, on August 16, for the fourth date of the Clausura Tournament, he starred in another outstanding performance. In the 5-1 victory against San Luis FC, at the River Camp, Diz scored three goals and got his first hat-trick in the First Division with the River shirt.
Important fact: Meme has all these numbers in the Millonario but does not have a professional contract with the Núñez club.
From Navarro to world football: Meme grew up watching her father play and now he accompanies her in the stands
Diz's history in football began in Navarro, his hometown. His father, Facundo Diz, a former professional soccer player, was one of his first inspirations, along with Diego Barrado, a former River player and family friend. Both helped her learn how to pass and how to receive the ball, according to the protagonist herself.
"Since I was a girl I went to see him play with my family and it was in that circumstance that I realized that I liked football, I followed in his footsteps and now it's his turn to see me," she said on Deportivo 1270.
Meme Diz grew up watching her father, Facundo, a former professional soccer player, play, and today he is the one who accompanies her in the stands. (Photo: @dizmercedes)
And that's how things are today: her dad travels to see her play not only at home in River, but also in the international tournaments in which she has played.
Regarding her training, Meme was part of Las Pikis, a girls' team accompanied by Piqui César, where she shared the dream of playing soccer with other girls from her town.
His story also has small recognitions off the field. In Navarro, a hamburger restaurant created a hamburger with his name, a tribute that connects his present with the place where he began to dream about football.
Without a doubt, Mechi still has a long way to go, but this year she already occupies a special place in her career thanks to her goals that led her to write important pages with River and with the Argentine shirt. And it promises much more.