Real Madrid reportedly scouting 16-year-old Mexican wonderkid

Gilberto Mora is one of Mexico’s brightest young football talents, turning heads with his standout performances. His play with Club Tijuana earned him a call-up to the Mexican national team by coach Javier Aguirre, putting him on the global radar. Now, it seems a major European club may be keeping tabs on him.

Real Madrid’s interest in Gilberto Mora

According to Ike Carrera, a Cruz Azul insider, Mora is reportedly on Real Madrid’s radar. However, there’s a significant hurdle: his age.

FIFA rules prevent international transfers for minors, so any move would likely involve a pre-contract agreement allowing him to move to Europe once he turns 18.

“Sources: Real Madrid is scouting 16-year-old Gilberto Mora, and a potential future pre-agreement with Xolos is possible. Under FIFA rules, any international transfer can only occur when the player turns 18, so the scenario would involve a deferred registration,” the social media post read.

Could Gilberto Mora actually end up at Real Madrid?

Age remains the biggest barrier for Mora. FIFA regulations require international transfers to wait until a player reaches the age of majority. A similar situation occurred with Franco Mastantuono, who signed a pre-agreement and moved to Spain when he turned 18 to finalize his transfer.

So far, there’s no confirmed interest from Real Madrid. Prominent transfer experts like César Luis Merlo and Fabrizio Romano haven’t reported any official developments, meaning the Madrid link should be treated as speculative.

What is Mora’s current value?

At 16, Mora is valued at $3.49 million (roughly €3 million). His market value has risen thanks to strong performances, according to Transfermarkt.

Mora has impressed in the Apertura 2025 tournament, featuring in all six of Tijuana’s matches and scoring three goals. He also netted two goals in the Leagues Cup against MLS teams, further showcasing his potential on an international stage.