'It was all just a prank by my teammates' - Mexico teen phenom Gilberto Mora reveals hilarious Marco Reus kit joke from Tijuana squad

Gilberto Mora, 16, has stolen the spotlight with his recent performances for the Mexican national team and Tijuana’s Xolos. He’s quickly becoming one of Mexican football’s rising stars - but this week, he found himself at the center of a prank that went viral.

A few days ago, a video circulated showing a fan asking Mora for his jersey after Xolos’ 5-2 loss to LA Galaxy in the Leagues Cup, a match in which Mora scored both goals for his side. Mora responded by saying he couldn’t give it away because Marco Reus, who now plays for the Galaxy,  had asked to swap shirts. The clip sparked excitement among fans, who were impressed that a legend like Reus - former Borussia Dortmund and German national team star - would recognize a young talent like Mora.

But the story took a turn. In a press conference, Mora clarified that it had all been a joke.

“It was just a prank from my teammates,” Mora admitted. “They told me he wanted to swap with me, and I believed them. They even showed me the shirt. But in the end, he gave it to another teammate.”

Despite the playful twist, Mora’s performances on the field - scoring two goals in the Leagues Cup - continue to earn him well-deserved praise. Tijuana now sits on three points in the group stage and still has a chance to advance, following an important 2-1 win over Colorado on Sunday. 

At just 16, Mora has already made an impressive mark in his first year as a pro. He registered an assist on his Liga MX debut, became the youngest player ever to debut for the Mexican national team, and helped El Tri win the Gold Cup - becoming the youngest player to win an international final for Mexico. Mora has also found the net in Liga MX, the MLS All-Star Game, and the Leagues Cup.

Tijuana will fight for a spot in the next round against the Sounders on Wednesday at Lumen Field.