Who is Gilberto Mora? Wonderkid who helped Mexico lift Gold Cup title; breaking Lamine Yamal's record in the process

The young midfielder started for El Tri in the Gold Cup final & became the youngest-ever debutant for Mexico in the process

The 16-year-old Gilberto Mora has made history as he has become the youngest player ever to play and win a senior international final. It is a great feat by the youngster, who also performed well for his team on a big stage.

Before Mora, Lamine Yamal of Spain was the one to do so when he was 17 years and 1 day old. Gilberto Mora surpassed him as he was 16 years and 265 days old during the USA vs Mexico Concacaf Gold Cup 2025 final.

The young midfielder started for the Mexico national football team in the high-stakes game against the United States soccer team and he played for a total of 75 minutes, in what will be a match to remember for the young gun.

He looked sharp on the field and helped his side in controlling the midfield well. Mexico won the match by 2-1 and lifted their 10th Concacaf Gold Cup title. It was a great show by the Mexicans against the inexperienced USA and for Gilberto Mora, it will be a night to remember.

Who is Gilberto Mora?

Gilberto Mora was born on October 14, 2008, in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico and is the son of former Mexican footballer Gilberto Mora. He is originally an attacking midfielder who plays for the Liga MX side Club Tijuana and the Mexico national football team.

He also became the youngest ever to debut for Club Tijuana in the Liga MX and was the third youngest in the history of the league. At just 15 years and 320 days, he scored his first professional goal against Club Leon in the Mexican league, which also set the record for the youngest goal scorer in Liga MX.

Gilberto Mora has also represented the under-15, under-16 and under-17 national teams of Mexico. He made his senior team debut in a football friendly against SC Internacional, which took place in January 2025.

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final fixture between Mexico and Saudi Arabia marked his official debut for the senior team when he was 16 years and 257 days in age.

Mora’s playing style

The youngster grabbed a lot of attention after he became the youngest player ever to play and win a senior international final. Previously, this record was held by Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.

Gilberto Mora has proved to be a good asset in the midfield for both his club and country. He was hence given a chance by Javier Aguirre to start for the Mexico national football team in the Concacaf Gold Cup 2025 final.

Most of the football games depend on the midfield of the teams performing well. Mora can do exactly that and help his side in controlling the midfield areas well and also set up plays for his side in the final third.

He played for a total of 75 minutes in the Gold Cup final and he also played a crucial part in helping El Tri make a comeback after going one goal down early.

When Gilberto Mora has the ball at his feet, he also helps his teammates feel confident with his good ball control. He also has an eye for developing threatening plays for his side, which do become a big issue for the opponent’s defence.

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