At 17, Mexico‘s Gilberto Mora is the youngest player at this year’s World Cup, but he isn’t here to just make up the numbers — he stunned in his country’s victory over Ecuador.
The Round of 32 victory against La Tri was another landmark in the youngster’s early career, as the attacking midfielder was already reaching double figures for his country whilst starting his second game of the tournament.
Naturally, he has become something of a breakout star. Social media is awash with praise for the Club Tijuana star, who is likely to attract transfer interest in the near future.
However, a deal won’t be straightforward. Given he is the second-youngest ever player to start a knockout match at a World Cup and is attracting concrete transfer interest, now is a good time to get the record straight.
Despite his infancy in senior professional football, Mora has already recorded 53 appearances for Club Tijuana, and he is regarded as the country’s brightest emerging talent.
With 10 goals and two assists across those appearances, there’s no doubting the early pedigree he has built which is fueling his current reputation. He was recently awarded the number 10 shirt and given a contract until 2029. For the youngest goalscorer in Liga MX history – a feat he managed aged 15 – it is certainly deserved.
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Due to his age, he isn’t legally allowed to complete a transfer deal until he turns 18, which doesn’t occur until October 14, 2026. These are the official restrictions put in place by FIFA that have stood since 2001. Although his recent contract stipulates a release clause north of €20 million, a number that will be highly attractive to European clubs.
Given his showings for Mexico across the past month, it is clear he needs to continue on his path of regular football. Even after the World Cup, returning to Tijuana, his reputation and standing will have increased, and managing that with first-team football will be a fundamental part of his development before his inevitable move halfway across the world in the future.
Clubs are able to agree a deal with the release clause prior to Mora turning 18. He would just have to remain at his club until then officially joining. In the past, the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid have done this, allowing the player to continue featuring for their club or even securing loans to other clubs.
Mora could follow the likes of Endrick, Vinícius Júnior and Estêvão Willian and make a move to Europe’s top five leagues. Already linked with a move are Manchester United, Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City and his recent performances will have only reaffirmed their interest.
Any deal will make Mora the most expensive outgoing transfer in Liga MX history, eclipsing both Edson Alvarez and Enner Valencia, who left for Ajax and West Ham United respectively.
Mora may well get the chance to continue to shine on the world’s biggest stage as Mexico looks to ride the crest of a wave, with Europe’s elite casting a watchful eye on a rising star.
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Pubs across the country are set to stay open until the early hours for England’s Round of 16 match against Mexico. The World Cup knockout kicks-off at 1am on Monday, July 6, which equates to 6pm in Mexico City, and Keir Starmer is set to introduce an emergency law change so that pubs can remain open until 5am.
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There is a lot of excitement in N17 at present with Tottenham splashing the cash for Roberto De Zerbi.
Following back-to-back 17th place finishes, Spurs are spending big as they look to get back to their previous heights towards the top of the Premier League table.
Signing Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers to bolster their squad, last month the club also completed the £52m signing of centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali are now set to follow for £85m and £100m respectively after Tottenham struck agreements with West Ham and Newcastle United for the midfielders.
Much more still needs to be done in improving De Zerbi’s squad, with attacking players required after the club’s struggles in the final third last season.
One position Tottenham need to address is on the left of their attack after failing to replace Son Heung-min following his switch to LAFC last August.
According to The Independent, Bournemouth ace Eli Junior Kroupi tops a three-player shortlist for that position.
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen, with the Cherries looking to receive over £80m if they decide to cash in on their highly-rated attacker.
The report states that Rafael Leao has been broached as an option in informal discussions with his club AC Milan, while there is a possibility that they once again move for Manchester City winger Savinho.
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In terms of Leao, he would be another statement signing if Tottenham can agree on a deal with Milan for ‘one of the best wingers in Europe’.
Mainly operating from the left but also capable of playing centrally, the Portugal international has contributed regularly for the Rossoneri with 80 goals and 65 assists in 291 games for the Italian giants.
After already agreeing on transfers for Fernandes and Tonali, a move for Leao would be a real signal of intent from Tottenham that they really do mean business in the transfer market after their recent Premier League woes.
Tottenham desperately need to improve in the final third if they are to climb the Premier League table.
Last season, Richarlison finished top goalscorer in all competitions with 12 goals, and it was defensive players Joao Palhinha, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero who were next in line in the charts.
Dominic Solanke could only manage six goals in an injury-hit campaign, with Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani both contributing five and Mathys Tel chipping in with four.
Given the need for goals, Leao could more than play his part after hitting double figures for Milan in each of his last five seasons at the San Siro.
Following the club’s desire to improve their midfield with the additions of Fernandes and Tonali, Tottenham now need to do likewise in attack if they are to make big strides under De Zerbi.
Djed Spence has been a frequent starter in England’s World Cup campaign, especially since being the only available right back following a Reece James injury.
The Spurs fullback has stood out on the pitch, not just for his performances, but also for the protective face mask that he’s been wearing throughout the tournament. It’s a look that naturally sparks curiosity.
Here is the reason why Spence has been wearing the protective mask.
Spence’s face mask is the result of a minor facial fracture sustained in the weeks leading up to the tournament. The 25-year-old was involved in an aerial duel with Chelsea striker Liam Delap, whose elbow clashed with Spence, although he was able to continue through until the end of that particular game.
Spence took to social media following the game to complain about the challenge with Delap, perhaps unhappy with the Chelsea striker’s aggressive antics resulting in Spence breaking his jaw.
Just five days later, Spence took to the field for Tottenham wearing the face mask, as Spurs secured their Premier League safety on the final day of the season with a win against Everton.
A broken jaw can normally take three months to heal, and with Spence wanting to feature in the World Cup, he opted to wear the custom-fitted jaw guard throughout the competition, as well as in training sessions.
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Spence told the BBC: “It is a little bit uncomfortable, but it is what it is. I have a broken jaw, so I have to wear it throughout the tournament. It is something I will have to get used to. It will be three months until it is fully healed, so it is a long time. It was painful, but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw.”
“It was a crazy challenge, but it is in the past now. I’ve just got to focus on this tournament now.”
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The mask’s primary function is simple: to offer protection. It shields the affected area from direct blows, accidental elbows, and the kind of incidental contact that can occur during high-tempo matches.
It also offers Spence psychological support, as he might have been hesitant to go into duels without a protective mask, but the guard now reassures him to commit fully. The moulded fit also keeps the affected area stable, reducing the risk of sudden pressure or movement that could worsen the fracture.
It also, of course, means Spence can still play, as without the mask he might have been forced to miss the tournament entirely.
Whilst the mask can feel unfamiliar at first, it shouldn’t affect Spence’s game, and he will be able to adapt quickly. Spence’s performances so far haven’t shown that this new mask is affecting him, putting in consistent performances in the place of injured Reece James, and it leaves Thomas Tuchel with a selection headache for when he has a fully fit right-hand side operating again.
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