Barcelona and Real Madrid alert as Rafa Marquez compares Mexico teenager to Lamine Yamal

Rafa Marquez has identified Gilberto Mora as a player capable of following in the footsteps of Lamine Yamal, drawing the attention of Barcelona and Real Madrid to the 17-year-old Mexico international.

Marquez, a Barcelona legend and former Barcelona Atletic manager who is now head coach of the Mexico national team, says he sees the same qualities in Mora that he recognised in Yamal before the forward emerged as a major talent.

Speaking in an interview reported by Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Marquez recalled his time working with Barcelona’s reserve side and explained why he believes Mora belongs in the same category as Yamal.

“It happened to me with Lamine Yamal too. I promoted him to a higher level, and then they took him away from me within a month. Their styles are similar and their attributes are comparable,” Marquez said.

The Mexico manager also made clear that a player’s age would not prevent him from being considered for the senior national team. He said the only relevant criteria were a player’s performances and contribution to their club, indicating that Mora could be under consideration for a place with the senior side.

Mora plays as a forward for Club Tijuana and was one of Mexico’s standout performers at the most recent FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. His displays helped lead the national team through the tournament and raised his profile among leading European clubs.

Although still only 17, Mora is capable of operating in several attacking positions. He generally starts on the left wing and is noted for his pace, dribbling ability and comfort using both feet, although he has a slight preference for his right.

His progress has placed him on the radar of several major clubs. Barcelona and Real Madrid have both been linked with the teenager, while Arsenal and Manchester United are also reportedly monitoring his situation. Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi plays, are another club associated with an interest in the player.

Mora is represented by Brazilian agent Rafaela Pimenta.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have been following Mora for a considerable period and he is highly regarded within the club’s football department. However, the Catalan club have not yet made a formal offer or taken concrete steps to sign him.

Marquez’s assessment could now encourage Barcelona to move more decisively for a player he knows well, before Real Madrid or one of the Premier League’s leading clubs makes the first significant move for another emerging talent.