Raúl Jiménez Backs Gilberto Mora to Thrive at Borussia Dortmund

Raúl Jiménez has backed Tijuana teenager Gilberto Mora for a future move to Europe, naming Borussia Dortmund as the club he would most like to see the 17-year-old join.

The Mexico forward believes Mora has the quality to succeed at the highest level but urged patience over the next stage of his development. “He has the potential to play anywhere, although it could be a gradual path, step by step,” Jiménez said when asked about Mexico’s emerging talents.

Pressed on the ideal destination, the 35-year-old pointed to Dortmund and their record of developing young attacking players. “Perhaps Germany, Borussia Dortmund. They have their own way of playing,” he said.

Dortmund link remains uncertain

Dortmund were linked with Mora during the 2026 World Cup, with reports indicating that early contact had been made before the pursuit lost momentum. The Bundesliga club have since added several attacking options, bringing in Konstantinos Karetsas and Giannis Konstantelias, while Ethan Nwaneri arrived on loan.

There is no confirmed move for Mora, who remains tied to Liga MX side Tijuana until June 2029. But his rise with Los Xolos has made him one of the country’s most closely watched young players.

His next focus is fitness. Mora is recovering from an ankle problem that worsened while he was away on international duty, as well as hip and pubic-area discomfort. The setback interrupted a sharp spell in which he scored five goals and supplied one assist in seven Liga MX appearances.

Tijuana want their attacking midfielder back as soon as possible as they seek to sustain their domestic form. For Mora, a European transfer can wait; returning healthy and continuing his breakthrough at club level is the immediate task.