22 July – The second issue of the CIES Football Observatory Prospect Sheet, developed in collaboration with Impect, shines a spotlight on one of the brightest young stars emerging from Portugal: Rodrigo Mora.
Born in 2007 – the same year as Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal – the FC Porto attacking midfielder has made an electric start to his professional career. With ten goals in the Primeira Liga and a first senior national team call-up already under his belt, Mora is rapidly positioning himself as a leading figure in the next generation of European talent.
While he didn’t leave a major mark on the recent Club World Cup, where Porto were eliminated at the group stage, he did notch a memorable equaliser in a 4-4 draw with Al Ahli, offering another glimpse of his knack for big moments.
He also missed out on the UEFA European U21 Championship last month, mostly due to his involvement in the Club World Cup but also with a lingering feeling that even at 18, he has outgrown that level.
Briefly linked with Arsenal, speculation around a high-profile transfer has swirled, but for now, the expectation is that Mora will be given at least another season in Portugal to develop further before any move materialises.
That hasn’t stopped his value from soaring. According to the CIES Football Observatory’s statistical model, Mora is currently valued at €53.4 million — a figure that could soon surpass his €70 million buy-out clause, agreed during a recent contract extension that ties him to Porto until 2030.
However there may be some hesitation to jump at the first offer. Mora and his camp will be acutely aware of João Félix’s trajectory, whose €126 million move to Atlético Madrid in 2019 has since left him in career limbo, still searching for the right fit.
From a technical standpoint, data shows Mora as a take-on specialist and high-volume shooter, making him a modern attacking midfielder with flair and direct threat. The report draws comparisons to players like Ademola Lookman, currently in demand after a standout season, and Philippe Coutinho, once the most expensive midfielder in football history.
At just 18, Mora’s potential is clear – and with Porto’s well-documented financial pressures, the club may ultimately choose to cash in on their prized asset sooner rather than later. For now, though, both player and club appear content to wait – even if the rest of Europe is already knocking.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1753209235labto1753209235ofdlr1753209235owedi1753209235sni@g1753209235niwe.1753209235yrrah1753209235