‘We have to push him into a different environment’ - Mexico boss Javier Aguirre urges Gilberto Mora to join a club in the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League

Although Aguirre believes Mora is ready to take the next step and move on from Liga MX, he stressed it has to be the right fit. 

“Take him properly, to a team in Europe where he can play, above all. Because the truth is: you have to play, not just be there. I remember [Carlos] Vela and Giovani [dos Santos] - they weren’t playing, and people questioned me for calling them up, but training there, facing adversity, teaches you more than being pampered at home,” Aguirre told TUDN. 

Aguirre has played a crucial role in Mora's development, giving him his first national cap and making him the youngest player ever to debut with the senior team at just 16. Aguirre's confidence was so apparent that he also gave him a starting role during the recent Gold Cup.

The coach also emphasized that Mora needs exposure in high-level competitions, ideally with participation in continental tournaments such as the Champions League, Europa League, or at least the Conference League.

“We have to push him into a different environment, in a league where he can play in a continental tournament. Conference, Europa, or Champions," the manager said. 

Aguirre didn’t shy away from projecting a bright future for the young forward, suggesting he could play in up to four World Cups, including the 2026 tournament.

“Why not? We started him in the Gold Cup," he said. "We have a good calendar leading up to the World Cup, and he’s already on the radar. There aren’t players like him...They’re different. Those guys knew everything, and Gilberto knows everything too.”

Mora is shaping up to be a potential generational talent. Mexican football has seen promising young stars in recent years, such as Dos Santos and Vela, whose careers were successful but didn’t fully meet the sky-high expectations placed on them. Mora, however, is expected to achieve even more. At just 16 years old, he’s already standing out, demonstrating a level of skill, leadership, and maturity that is rarely seen for his age. 

While Mora competes in the U-20 World Cup with Mexico, facing Chile this Tuesday, the senior national team is preparing for a friendly against Colombia this Saturday at AT&T Stadium.