The jewel of Tijuana shines again
Friends, grab your flags because this is pure excitement. Gilberto Mora, that 17-year-old boy who has already broken records in Liga MX, has just been called up by Javier Aguirre for the 2026 World Cup. The best thing? He comes from a complicated groin injury that kept him out for two months, but he is now back and eager to take on the world.
“I’m already one hundred percent in all aspects,” Mora said over the weekend. And I believe him. Because when a young athlete goes through an injury like this, not only does the body recover, it strengthens the head. That’s real resilience, not a hashtag.
The youngest from Mexico in a World Cup?
Currently, the record is held by Manuel Rosas, who debuted in 1930 at the age of 18 years and 88 days. Mora turns 18 on October 14, so if he plays on June 11 against South Africa, he would break that mark. He wouldn’t be the youngest in the world—that honor goes to Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside at 17 years and 40 days in 1982—but it would be pure history for Mexico.
“I had an injury where I couldn’t be for most of the tournament, but I’m happy to be able to return. The recovery was long, but thank God I’m fine now,” Mora shared.
The impact of ‘Morita’
This guy is no coincidence. In August 2024, at 15 years and 320 days old, he became the youngest starter to score in the first division. Then, in January 2025, he debuted with the senior team at 16 years and 94 days old. He has already won the 2025 Gold Cup. Now, Aguirre has him on the list of 12 Liga MX players who will start training next Monday.
His return is scheduled for May 22 in a friendly against Ghana in Puebla. If everything goes well, we will see it at the World Cup. And believe me, this kid doesn’t just run, he plays with his heart. That lesson of overcoming, of falling and getting up, is what reminds us that sport is a school of life.
So get ready, because ‘Morita’ comes with everything. And we, as always, are going to celebrate every step, every effort, every victory. Let’s go Mexico!
