Mora Leads Liga MX Market Values After Breakout 2025
Gilberto Mora has finished the year as the most valuable player in Liga MX, with the 17 year old Xolos de Tijuana forward topping Transfermarkt’s latest market value update ahead of the Clausura 2026. The teenage sensation shares the top spot with Club América winger Allan Saint-Maximin, while Alejandro Zendejas also features inside the league’s top ten.
Mora’s rise reflects a remarkable year in which he delivered decisive performances for both club and country. Despite Tijuana’s Apertura campaign ending earlier than hoped, his individual output and maturity on the pitch kept him firmly in the spotlight and pushed his valuation to the top of the domestic rankings.
The numbers underline just how special his 2025 has been. Mora scored 12 goals across Liga MX, the Leagues Cup, and international tournaments, making him the highest scoring under 17 player in world football over the calendar year. He finished three goals clear of Bayern Munich prospect Lennart Karl and Irish striker Michael Noonan.
At club level, nine of those goals came in a Tijuana shirt, with seven arriving in league play and two more in the Leagues Cup. On the international stage, Mora added three goals at the Under 20 World Cup in Chile, where he emerged as a central figure for Mexico and consistently carried the attacking responsibility.
The context behind the valuation shift is just as important. European scouts have tracked Mora closely throughout the year, impressed by his movement, finishing, and composure against older opponents. That sustained attention, combined with his productivity, played a significant role in pushing him to the top of the market value list heading into 2026.
Sharing that valuation is Allan Saint-Maximin, listed at $11 million. The French winger remains one of Liga MX’s most recognizable names, though his value has dipped slightly since his arrival at Club América after spells with Al-Ain and Fenerbahçe. Even so, his individual quality and commercial profile continue to hold weight within the league.
Just below the top tier, Liga MX’s midfield strength is reflected in the valuations of Marcel Ruiz and Erick Lira, both priced at $9.9 million. Ruiz has been a driving force for Toluca, while Lira’s consistency at Cruz Azul has cemented his place in the national team conversation.
Alejandro Zendejas rounds out the leading group, coming in at eighth with a value of $9.35 million. The United States international has regularly drawn MLS interest, but his importance to Club América remains undiminished.
Across five seasons in Mexico City, Zendejas has delivered 33 goals and 22 assists in 113 appearances, offering reliability, work rate, and end product from wide areas.
As Liga MX moves toward the Clausura 2026, the rankings highlight a league balancing emerging youth with established stars. For Mora, the valuation is not just a reflection of past form, but a clear signal that his next steps will be watched closely both at home and abroad.