Mexico coach on Gilberto Mora’s exciting future: the Europe plan
Speaking to TUDN, Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre discussed what lies ahead for Tijuana starlet Mora.
As Mexico’s U-20 squad continues its impressive run at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, one name has stood out above the rest: Gilberto Mora. At just 16 years old, the rising star is turning heads with his poise, maturity, and undeniable talent. Javier Aguirre, head coach of Mexico’s senior national team, sat down with TUDN to discuss the young phenom and the strategic decisions surrounding his development.
U-20 World Cup Mora’s “natural habitat”
Responding to criticism over why Mora wasn’t called up to the senior team this autumn, Aguirre was candid: “We felt that, at this stage, the U-20s were the right next step for him. Sure, the easy thing for me would’ve been to bring him in for friendlies, guide him along personally - but this World Cup, surrounded by players his age and in a different competitive environment, will help him grow and connect with his peers.”
Aguirre added: “Here with the senior team, he’s the kid - everyone jokes with him, protects him. He’s treated like just another guy. But if he makes a mistake, he needs to be corrected. That’s the reality. His natural habitat right now is international youth competition. What’s coming for him is huge, and we made this decision calmly and with his long-term growth in mind.”
Mora must make right Europe move, Aguirre warns
Looking ahead, Mora’s future may include a move abroad. While his current club, Club Tijuana, isn’t under pressure to sell, Aguirre emphasized the importance of choosing the right path: “The priority is guiding the kid carefully. These are players without a fixed price tag - any Turkish, Greek, or Dutch club could afford him. But the goal isn’t chasing money. It’s finding a European team that will actually play him.”
Aguirre concluded with a hopeful vision for Mora’s trajectory: “When the time comes, whoever makes the call needs to push him toward a league where he can play continental tournaments - whether it’s the Conference League, Europa League, or Champions League. He’s 16. He’s got 16 more years ahead of him, maybe four World Cups to enjoy. We can all help him get there. Why not the 2026 World Cup? We started him in the Gold Cup, didn’t we?”
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