Rafa Márquez's gesture toward Gilberto Mora that puts him on par with Messi

Rafa Márquez does nothing without a reason. The fact that Gilberto Mora wore the number 10 jersey for the national team on the day of the coach’s debut on the bench is no coincidence. It is a message to the football world, but especially to the player himself. The new Mexico head coach is telling his player that he is a star with a tremendous future . And the best part is that Gilberto more than delivered. He had a fantastic match and showed that he is more than capable of wearing that number reserved for the greatest. The message has been received, and not only in Mexico. Gilberto is destined to become one of the greats as long as they continue to take good care of him.

Do not forget that Messi still wears that 10, but so did footballers like Maradona or Pelé. On another tier in football history, that number is worn by geniuses. Zidane wore it during part of his career, although at Madrid he wore the 5, but also players like Ronaldinho , Riquelme, Puskas, Laudrup, Platini, Mbappé or Zico, among others. True football monsters.

The number 10 at the big teams is usually always worn, with few exceptions, by the best player. The different footballer, the one with a different talent , capable of carrying a team on his back and turning a match around all by himself. At Barcelona they have also given it to Lamine Yamal , only one year older than Gilberto Mora, but already a clear candidate to win the Ballon d'Or in competition with another number 10, Mbappé.

For all these reasons, the fact that a youngster about to turn 18 years old has already been given the No. 10 for a national team like Mexico is no coincidence. It is a sign that Rafa Márquez has handed him the full weight of his team despite his youth. It is a demonstration of trust, and he has told him that he can reach the very top. Naturally, comparing him with those names who have worn that number would now be a mistake, but the coach has given him the team’s leadership with that gesture. And Gilberto more than delivered with a true stunner against a great national team like Colombia . Beyond the thunderous right-footed strike, his cut inside the box is worthy of a football genius.

However, there’s no need to celebrate too soon. Gilberto has his entire footballing life ahead of him, and perhaps the hardest part still to come. To establish himself by proving that he is capable of making the most of and displaying that undeniable talent he has on any team in the world. Certainly, against Colombia that number did not weigh on him, despite it being the one worn by the greatest. He has time to confirm it, but Márquez has already chosen him as one of them.