Arsenal, Man City, Barcelona AND Real Madrid chasing Mexican wonderkid as David Beckham's Inter Miami also consider swoop

Mora’s reputation exploded after a dazzling display at the Under-20 World Cup, where he steered Mexico into the quarter-finals before bowing out to Argentina. Across just five matches, he racked up three goals and two assists, cementing his name among the world’s most exciting young midfielders. That performance instantly put Europe’s elite on red alert. According to ESPN, scouts from Barcelona were in attendance, and came away convinced they’d seen something special. A source told the publication: "We've received very interesting reports about him. He's only just now making a media splash, and everyone's talking about him. He's a very skilled midfielder, a player with very good prospects, although it's still too early to define what his ultimate goal will be."

While Europe’s elite monitor his progress, David Beckham’s Inter Miami are lurking with intent. With the pull of Lionel Messi and the glamour of Miami, the MLS side believe they can offer Mora a faster path to stardom and are prepared to table a lucrative proposal.

Mora’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, is no stranger to football royalty. A long-time collaborator of the late Mino Raiola, she has deep connections with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, which could hand the Catalan giants a vital advantage. However, patience might be exactly what Barcelona need. Mora is ineligible to move to Europe until October 2026, when he turns 18, meaning any club that secures his signature now will have to wait nearly a year before he can officially arrive.

Never one to be outdone, Real Madrid are also watching closely, and history suggests they know exactly how to play the long game. Having previously tied up deals for Vinícius Júnior and Endrick before their 18th birthdays, Madrid are no strangers to nurturing South American phenoms. Club sources told ESPN that Madrid’s interest in Mora is both strategic and sporting, with the 17-year-old’s creative spark seen as a potential long-term answer to the looming departures of Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos, while his Mexican heritage offers a powerful marketing bridge into one of Los Blancos’ biggest fanbases outside Europe.

Madrid’s interest in Mora also carries emotional weight. Club icon Emilio Butragueno, now Director of Institutional Relations at the Bernabeu, spoke about the club’s enduring connection with Mexico, forged decades ago by the great Hugo Sanchez, one of the most prolific strikers in Madrid’s history.

“We always look for great players, regardless of nationality," he said. "We had one who is part of our history and for whom we feel great gratitude. He connected us with that country, because I personally have great affection for it, as everyone knows.”

Mora’s boyhood dream might make that white shirt even more tempting. His former youth coach at Club Tijuana, Ignacio Ruvalcaba, revealed the youngster’s lifelong admiration for the Spanish giants.

“He has a dream, which is to play for Real Madrid, but he keeps his feet on the ground. He always watches football and loves watching Real Madrid—surely he pictures himself playing there,” Ruvalcaba said to ESPN Deportes.

“I think he has a very grounded family; his father has guided him well, and hopefully we’ll get to see him succeed there. Yes, he sees himself playing there in the future, he loves watching European football, and I think he has the quality to be in those leagues.”

Ruvalcaba painted a picture of a down-to-earth prodigy who balances humility with hunger.

"We always joke with him because he’s a fan of a Spanish team, Real Madrid," he added. "He always watches those games; when he wins or loses, we make kiddie bets. Also on technical matters. He always beats us; he’s not mean, but he is a joker. In challenges, with his teammates or us, he never makes a rude joke, just a good one.”

Pimenta has been typically bold about her client’s value, and she’s not underselling him. Speaking to Mexican outlet ESTO, she declared that signing Mora won’t come cheap.

“We’ve experienced for many years that a player can go to a small league and then continue the process. Now, if we go to a big team, the right step depends on the type of player; he’s ready to play wherever he wants,” said Pimenta. 

“I can’t buy a leg of Gilberto Mora for $15 million. He can’t make a transfer before he’s 18, without authorisation, but if a team wants to talk to him, his team must authorise it. Vinicius and Endrick signed contracts at 17 and then made the transfer at 18. Xolos has a 100 per cent collaborative spirit, regarding approaches and calls, this transfer is moving in the same direction between club and player.”

Mora’s rise from Club Tijuana’s academy to international recognition has been meteoric. Making his Liga MX debut at just 15, he became one of Mexico’s youngest-ever top-flight goal scorers. Within months, he was strutting his stuff at the 2025 Gold Cup, where he started both the semi-final and final.