‘He has that special aura’ – the story of Mexico’s 16-year-old star

Lamine Yamal’s record as the youngest player to win a significant senior international tournament came quickly, at 358 days, to be exact.

The 16-year-old who won Euro 2024 with Spain and England is the only one who is widely known in Europe.

But we’ll be doing it soon.

Gilberto Mora is likely to be a hot topic of conversation by the time the World Cup of the next year takes place.

Twelve months ago, Mexico’s football circles debated whether Mora should prioritize the Under-20 or Under-17 World Cups, both of which are taking place this autumn.

He will likely choose the under-20 version of the senior friendlies against Japan and South Korea this month in Chile. Following that, the opening game of the 2026 World Cup will be played in Mexico City on June 11 and all routes will lead there.

Mora appears to be in a significant position.

Gil, a 16-year-old, is already making an impact for his country by competing with men at the highest level, according to Club Tijuana owner Jorge Alberto.

When Mexico won the Concacaf Gold Cup final against the United States in Houston in July at the age of 16 and 265 days, Mora was the youngest player to start for them.

He had joined Javier Aguirre’s side for the quarter-final against Saudi Arabia and continued to do so. In the semi-final victory over Honduras, Mora was named the match’s man of the match after supplying the crucial pass to Fulham’s Raul Jimenez for the only goal.

Jimenez, a legendary figure for Mexico himself, said, “He’s only 16 but already plays with confidence and personality and is unafraid of the occasion.”

He can serve as a key player for the national team and an inspiration to the next generation, according to me.

Some shocking statistics surround Mora.

At 15 years and 308 days old, he made his Liga MX debut, becoming Club Tijuana’s youngest ever player and, as it turned out, the youngest player to ever score an assist in the league. He became the league’s youngest goal scorer less than a fortnight later.

He became the youngest player to feature for Mexico in January. Then he seized Yamal’s record.

Mora, the son of a former professional and now known as Gilberto, adored Cristiano Ronaldo as a child and immigrated to Tijuana from his native Tuxtla Gutierrez at the age of six. At age 10, he joined the youth organization of the club.

According to the legend, Mora was so obsessed with football that when his family started enrolling him in schools, he wouldn’t want to leave when he learned that he wouldn’t be allowed to play with his ball during recess.

He can play, it’s not really necessary. You need more, though, to be certain of holding down a central midfield spot for the national team in a nation that is so football-obsessed as Mexico at such a young age.

His game’s defining traits are composure, movement, intelligence, and a willingness to link play, according to sources. Another important factor was his structural “maturity beyond his age.”

Gil’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said, “I first met him six months ago.”

For someone his age, he seemed so serious and focused, and his English was also impressive.

Mora received private one-on-one English instruction and has been educated in bilingual schools.

Before Tijuana’s Leagues Cup game against Colorado Rapids last month, Mora held a press conference in English in a time when Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold have both received praise for speaking Spanish following their respective moves to Real Madrid.

All the talk about a young man who is extremely close to his family, spends extra time practicing his skills, and has a strong team ethic surrounds him.

All that will be put to the test if Mora keeps on the current trajectory and the hoped successes are realized.

As the years and months pass, Pimenta’s direction will be crucial.

Real Madrid’s interest in Mora has already been confirmed by numerous rumors. There is already a historical Mexican connection to the Bernabeu thanks to national team legends Hugo Sanchez and Javier Hernandez.

The teenager’s main goal is to play at the World Cup instead of just making a big impact.

Pimenta remarked, “Gillie’s talent is not just his talent but also his calm maturity in every situation.”

He is “on the pitch and off it,” both focused, respectful, and anticipating the long road ahead. When you walk into a room, you feel a special aura emanating from him that only certain players possess. It motivates everyone around him, not just in Mexico but also abroad.

Few people in Europe have seen Mora play, in contrast to Yamal, whose reputation has grown so quickly that comparisons are already starting to be made to Lionel Messi.

However, Alberto noted during the midfielder’s two-goal display against the LA Galaxy in the United States last month that the situation is starting to deteriorate.

Every time he touched the ball, the audience erupted, including Mexican fans and Galaxy fans in general, he said.

In Colorado, where we don’t have a fan base, the same happened. Tijuana was receiving applause from those who had never followed him.

“The story is the same as it is now in Mexico.” Rival fans cheer him wherever we go in every city.

That indicates something very powerful: He is already influencing the entire nation.