Mexico City, April 28: Seventeen-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora could become the youngest Mexican player to appear in a World Cup.
He was among the initial 12 players picked by coach Javier Aguirre in Mexico’s World Cup squad on Tuesday, all of them from the local Liga MX. They begin training together next Monday.
Aguirre also called up eight others to fill out the training sessions until the European-based players arrive at the end of May.
Mora just resumed playing for Tijuana after a groin injury sidelined him for two months. Mexico’s youngest World Cup player is Manuel “Chaquetas” Rosas, who was 18 years, 88 days when he played in the inaugural 1930 World Cup.
“I had an injury that kept me out for most of the (Liga MX) but I’m happy to be back,” Mora said on Saturday. “The recovery was a bit long but thank God I’m fine now, I feel great physically and ready for what’s next. I’m 100% in every aspect.” Seven 17-year-olds including Pele have played in a World Cup, the youngest of them Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside in 1982 in Spain. (AP)
