The Mexican team does not have a squad full of many stars. However, within the Aztec team is one of the most promising footballers in World football. Gilberto Mora will play his first World Cup at 17 years old. Ricardo La Volpe explained how the Xolos player can get the most out of him.

Gilberto Mora takes most of the flashes on the Mexican list. Ricardo La Volpe spoke about what the Xolos de Tijuana player's on-field role should be. “Bigotón” believes that Mora cannot be attached to a gang.

"Mora is a great player and I'll tell you more: when he played in the Youth World Cup, he played a 1-5-3-2 and the second striker was Gilberto, he stood out there. Now, as a right-wing midfielder... well, I don't even see him in Xolos, because (Kevin) Castañeda plays on the inside," said the coach in statements compiled by Récord.

Ricardo La Volpe motivated Javier Aguirre to use schemes similar to those of the Argentine and Colombian national teams. La Volpe hopes to see Gilberto Mora much further forward, a place where he can generate danger alongside Raúl Jiménez.

"I would put a system like Messi or James plays in Colombia. Neither behind the 9 nor a midfielder on the right; I would put him up front on the other side where he can unbalance with Raúl Jiménez," he explained.

Gilberto Mora must demonstrate

Ricardo La Volpe recalled that Gilberto Mora has stood out within a club like the Xolos. The Tijuana team has no obligations when raising a championship. The other context in which he shone was in a youth World Cup. The 2026 World Cup will be the true litmus test for the Mexican.

"I want to see him there. Let him break it, make it small, let him be a phenomenon. Mora should be in the last third of the field, don't wear him down, there is no one like him, but I would put him in the last third of the field," he added.

The Mexican team debuts in the 2026 World Cup against South Africa. The Aztec team will face the inaugural duel on June 11 at the legendary Azteca Stadium.