Barcelona battle Feyenoord for 15-YEAR-OLD wonderkid

Imre Himmelbauer

Updated: 18 Sept 2024 16:46 BST
3 min read

Gilberto Mora, Feyenoord, Barcelona — © IMAGO/FootballTransfers

Feyenoord are getting competition in the battle for Gilberto Mora from Club Tijuana.

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The 15-year-old talent has also appeared on the radar of Barcelona, who have invited him for a trial in Catalunya, according to Mexican media.

Previously, Juan Carlos Osorio, coach of Tijuana, confirmed Feyenoord's interest in Mora, who according to reports from Mexico was supposed to train with them in Rotterdam.

Mora is officially still a youth player of Tijuana but has already played four times for the first team of the current seventh-placed side in Mexico. The Mexican youth international became the youngest debutant of Tijuana when he received his first minutes against Santos Laguna in a 3-1 win.

In his third appearance, and first outing as a starter, he also scored for the first time, against Club Léon in a 2-1 win, and thus became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Mexican competition.

Battle for Mora's signature

Earlier, Mexican media reported that Mora was in line to land at Feyenoord for a trial. The great talent would then train with the Rotterdam team for 20 days to prove himself.

The reports from Mexico have not yet been confirmed by Feyenoord, but according to Osorio, there is definitely interest. "It is true that there is interest from Feyenoord via [general manager] Dennis te Kloese. I think Gilberto and his family will ultimately have to make a decision," he said.

"It does not surprise me, because Gilberto has shown in the last two matches that he understands the game and can play it well."

However, according to the latest reports from Mexico, Feyenoord will have competition for Mora, whose rapid development has also been noticed by Barcelona. The Spanish top club have sent the young attacking midfielder an invitation to train with the widely praised youth academy La Masia.

In order to make this happen, Mora's parents must give permission. It is not yet clear how they feel about a departure to Europe. Feyenoord reportedly has the same idea for Mora, who should also train with the Rotterdam youth academy.

"I think the idea is that Gilberto goes there so that they get to know him," Osorio explained a while back. "At Feyenoord, they can see him at work and decide whether they want him in the future. After that, a decision will be made."