After helping Mexico reach the round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, standout midfielder Gilberto Mora added another milestone to his already impressive year: graduating from high school.
At 17-years-old, Mora, who was the youngest player at this year’s World Cup, celebrated his high school graduation in Tijuana, Mexico. He walked the stage at Colegio Alemán Cuauhtémoc Hank to applause, with classmates waving cardboard cutouts of his face as he received his diploma.
Veteran Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa took to social media to praise the young star, congratulating Mora on his academic achievements.
"Congratulations, Morita. I’m so happy to see you achieve another goal," Ochoa wrote. "The journey is just beginning, and there are still many dreams left to conquer."
Mora is poised to become a cornerstone of the Mexico national team in the coming years. His journey began at age 15, when he became the youngest goalscorer in Liga MX for Club Tijuana. He was also a fundamental player in helping Mexico win last summer’s Gold Cup, adding an international trophy to his growing list of accolades.
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mora made four appearances for Mexico. He debuted in the 65th minute as a substitute in the group-stage game against South Africa. His first start came against the Czech Republic, where he played 72 minutes, completed 22 passes, and became the youngest player since Pelé to start a knockout match.
In the round of 32, Mora started against Ecuador, playing 52 minutes and recording two shots on goal. He also started in the round-of-16 match against England, completing 21 passes and controlling much of the play in midfield before being subbed off.
Mora’s performance on the world's biggest stage quickly caught the attention of top European clubs. According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City have all expressed interest in the young midfielder.
Source: USA Today
