CHILE — Mexico’s teenage playmaker Gilberto Mora has lit up the Under-20 World Cup in Chile as he basks in the limelight afforded by the absences of Barcelona and Real Madrid stars Lamine Yamal and Franco Mastantuono.

“I don’t know if I’m the biggest star, and I’m not really interested in that. I think you can always give more,” 16-year-old Mora told AFP before Mexico’s 4-1 win against host nation Chile in the last 16 on Tuesday, in which he provided the assist for the opening goal.

Next on Mora’s schedule is a quarter-final clash against either Argentina or Nigeria, but after that Mora has his eye fixed firmly on making a move to Europe.

Mexican players have traditionally struggled to thrive in Europe, and the ambitious Mora revealed the important thing for him is “to succeed there, not just to get there”.

The precocious Club Tijuana talent netted three goals in three pool matches at the Under-20 World Cup as Mexico progressed unbeaten from a Group C comprised of heavyweights Brazil, Spain and Morocco.

Although one of the youngest players at the tournament, Mora has set himself on course to win both the golden boot and the golden ball for the competition’s best player, thanks not only to his goals but also to his quick feet and vision.

In doing so, he would follow in the footsteps of one of his idols, Lionel Messi, the Argentinian great who both awards in the 2005 edition of the competition.