By Wilson Florez
Gilberto Mora He is the Mexican soccer player who has generated the greatest expectations around the Aztec team. The Xolos de Tijuana footballer could join a select list of World Cup records. Mora would share a scoring record with Pelé, but he will not be able to surpass him.
The record that has been talked about a lot is the possibility that Gilberto Mora becomes the youngest scorer in World Cup history. This award belongs to the legendary Pelé.
The former Brazilian soccer player managed to place himself at the top of history by scoring his first goal in a World Cup at the age of 17 years and 239 days. That goal represented Brazil’s 1-0 win over Wales in the quarterfinals of the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
Exactly 67 years old: ???
Pelé scored his first goal in the history of the World Cup in a 1-0 victory over Wales, in the fourth quarter of the Cup of 58, when he is 17 years, 7 months and 24 days old. ?
?@Miltonneves
Nostalgic!
pic.twitter.com/fIshDYIM6F
— Nostalgic Soccer! (@futnostalgico) June 19, 2025
Gilberto Mora will not surpass Pelé
The Xolos de Tijuana midfielder was born on October 14, 2008. In this sense, for June 11 of this year (the date on which Mexico will play the first match of the World Cup), Mora will be 17 years and 240 days old.
The Liga MX footballer would be one day away from trying equal Pelé’s record from 1958. For now, Pelé’s record will remain valid for 4 more years.
However, Gilberto Mora could settle for entering the historic podium of this record. In the event that the Mexican manages to score a goal in any of the World Cup matches, “Morita” will be in second place in the rating.
Curiously, Gilberto Mora would unseat a countryman. The Xolos footballer would surpass Manuel Rosas. Rosas’ record dates back to the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay. The Mexican scored his first goal in a duel against the Argentina team. Rosas was 18 years and 89 days old.
Youngest players to score in a World Cup
Pelé (Brazil) – 17 years and 239 days World Cup: Sweden 1958 | Rival: Wales
Manuel Rosas (Mexico) – 18 years and 93 days World Cup: Uruguay 1930 | Rival: Argentina
Gavi (Spain) – 18 years and 110 days World Cup: Qatar 2022 | Rival: Costa Rica
Michael Owen (England) – 18 years and 190 days World Cup: France 1998 | Rival: Romania
Nicolae Kovács (Romania) – 18 years and 197 days World Cup: Uruguay 1930 | Rival: Peru
Keep reading:
– Mexico beat Serbia 5-1 in the last World Cup rehearsal: but are we ready to beat South Africa?
– Gilberto Mora will be the “baby” of the World Cup among 1248 registered players
– Ricardo La Volpe wants Gilberto Mora to play as “Messi” in the World Cup
– Mexico is not moving away from the idea of being in the best position for the 2026 World Cup
