Gilberto Mora: How Mexico’s 16-year-old star is already shining at the highest level

Mora has been educated in bilingual schools and has private one-to-one tuition in English.

In an era where Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold have both been praised for being able to speak Spanish following their respective moves to Real Madrid, Mora conducted a news conference in English before Tijuana’s Leagues Cup encounter with Colorado Rapids last month.

All the talk is of a grounded young man, who goes to Mass, is exceptionally close to his family, spends extra hours on the training ground practicing his skills and is bonded to the team ethic.

If Mora maintains his present trajectory and the anticipated accolades do come, all that will be tested to its fullest extent.

Pimenta’s guidance will be crucial as the months and years go on.

Strong rumours have already started circulating about Real Madrid’s interest in Mora. Through national team legends Hugo Sanchez and Javier Hernandez there is a historical Mexican link to the Bernabeu already.

For now though, the World Cup is the teenager’s primary target, not just playing at it, but making a significant impact.

“What sets Gil apart is not just his talent but the calm maturity he brings to every situation,” said Pimenta.

“On the pitch and off it, he is exactly the same – focused, respectful, and looking at the long journey ahead. He has that special aura that only certain players have, the magnetism you feel when he walks into a room. It inspires people around him, not only in Mexico but also beyond.”

Unlike Yamal, whose reputation has grown so quickly that – still aged only 18 – comparisons are already starting to be made with Lionel Messi, few in Europe have seen Mora play.

Word is starting to get round though, as Alberto observed during the midfielder’s two-goal performance against LA Galaxy in the United States last month.

“Every time he touched the ball, the crowd erupted – not just our fans, but Galaxy supporters and Mexican fans in general,” he said.

“The same thing happened in Colorado, where we don’t have a fan-base. People who had never followed Tijuana were applauding him.

“Now in Mexico it’s the same story. Wherever we go, in every city, rival fans applaud him.

“That tells you something very powerful – he is already becoming a figure for the whole country.”

By next June, the whole world is likely to be watching.