Erling Haaland cemented his status as one of his generation’s finest with a brilliant FIFA World Cup campaign in North America. The Manchester City striker struck seven times in five games, leading Norway to their first-ever quarterfinal on the global stage.
Haaland entered the contest against England with a 14-match scoring streak for the Vikings. However, the run snapped in Miami and with it Norway’s dreams, as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in extra time.
In attendance were huge dignitaries, including Norway’s Crown Prince Hakkon and music royalty Mick Jagger. Football legends such as David Beckham, John Terry, and Ashley Cole were ever present, as was Erling’s father Alfe-Inge Haaland on the other side of the aisle.
Amidst all the star faces, a certain 17-year-old wearing Norwegian colours in the end-stand almost went unnoticed. Just days ago, Gilberto Mora had broken World Cup records himself to become the second youngest knockout starter ever behind Pele ,when he took the field for Mexico against Ecuador and England.
Mora was in full voice when Norway’s iconic “Roo Roo Roo” chants broke out. The giggling teenager excitedly participated in the rowing as the cauldron of voice echoed amongst the stands.
😅🇲🇽 JAJA, GILBERTO MORA EN EL MEDIO DE LA HINCHADA NORUEGA HACIENDO EL REMO VIKINGO.pic.twitter.com/Bund2j1mig
— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) July 14, 2026
The online world was amused watching this unprecedented scene, to say the least.
“I never saw this coming, a player from an eliminated national team cheering for another one… these Mexicans are divine”, a user commented on X.
“The only way to see a Mexican in the quarterfinals of a World Cup”, another bantered.
However, Mora’s appearance was not random. The youngster shares a critical connection with Haaland.
Both men are represented by super-agent Rafaela Pimenta. The inheritor of Mino Raiola’s clients such as Paul Pogba and Arne Slot, Pimenta is a trailblazer for women in the industry.
A key method of hers has been to build a rapport amongst her diverse clientele.
“[People] forget this asset is a human being… Miserable players don’t perform on a super high level”, she had once said to ESPN.
Mora’s support for Haaland was undoubtedly a consequence of the same, and perhaps the start of a professional relationship between the two prodigious talents.
Besides, which football-mad 17-year-old would not want to witness a highly billed World Cup quarterfinal in their own part of the world.
“At this rate they’ll end up playing together, Morita working his magic and assisting Haaland so he can score goals”, the fantasies poured out on X.
“Morita has important things waiting for him in a couple of years; we’ll see him playing in the big leagues, surely in the Premier, I wouldn’t rule out City for obvious reasons”, wrote another.
At the moment, Mora will return to his club Tijuana in Mexico. At his delicate age, the midfielder has already racked up over 50 Liga MX appearances and is the league’s youngest ever goalscorer.
Whether his relationship with Haaland can evolve into an on-field partnership, only time will tell.
