'Yes, he’s been linked' - Gilberto Mora's agent confirms Real Madrid interest in rising 16-year-old Mexico midfielder

Gilberto Mora’s name has been making headlines this week after his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, confirmed that Real Madrid have expressed interest in the 16-year-old midfielder.

“Yes, he’s been linked, and I think it’s normal when you’re talking about big clubs, because the boy is very young and very talented,” Pimenta told Spanish outlet La Sexta. 

Any potential transfer will have to wait, as FIFA rules prohibit international moves for players under 18. That means Mora will remain with Xolos de Tijuana for at least two more years, despite the growing interest from Europe.

Mora’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. At just 16 years old, the Xolos de Tijuana midfielder has already collected 39 top-flight appearances, lifted the Gold Cup with Mexico, and drawn the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Pimenta stressed fit will be important for where her client lands.

“At the Gold Cup, he was the youngest, the same in every international tournament he’s played," she said. "People everywhere are talking about him. We’ll surely hear many more rumors, but the most important thing is that he goes where he’s happy.”

The midfielder is focused on the Apertura 2025 with Xolos while preparing for a busy international calendar. Mora could make history by playing in three World Cups within the span of a year: the U-20 World Cup in Chile this September, the U-17 tournament in Qatar in November, and potentially the senior World Cup on home soil in 2026.