WITH each passing game, Rodrigo Mora’s stock rises.
The prodigious playmaker, 18, turned heads by reaching double figures in the league for last season.
Rodrigo Mora is becoming a superstar at Porto
Mora scored in Friday’s win over Bulgaria
And he’s been making waves on the international stage too – netting in all three of Portugal’s UEFA EURO U-21 qualifiers despite playing three years above his age group.
Mora opened the scoring in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria on Friday.
A month prior, he tormented Scotland with another imperious goal-scoring display.
This is a player who strikes fear into opponents despite standing a puny 5ft 6in tall.
And one who seems to be just as effective in midfield, where he plays for Porto, as he is up top, where he plays for his country.
Mora is well on his way to ditching his ‘hidden gem’ status and becoming a full-blown superstar.
Ex-Porto youngster Adramane Cassame called him an “extraordinary player” who will “mark a generation”.
Nuno Pimentil, who coached Mora for Portugal’s Under-15s, added: “He sees the game like no one I’ve ever coached.
“His tactical intelligence allows him to make the right decision in most situations – he’s always one step ahead.
“With that awareness, he creates space not just for himself but for the team. Then he combines it all with a very high level of technical skill.”
Pimentil isn’t the only one who thinks it’s a matter of time before Mora blows up.
Reports suggest that Real Madrid are paying close attention to his progress.
Los Blancos have been hoovering up the best youngsters on the market in recent years.
Players like Dean Huijsen, Arda Guler, Endrick and Franco Mastantuono could be joined by Mora if Bernabeu bosses are prepared to cough up.
It remains to be seen whether clubs are tempted to join the race.
Saudi side Al-Ittihad tried their luck in the summer but their £43million offer fell way short.
Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas – now president of Porto – is the man who will sanction Mora’s sale.
And he has already named his asking price.
Villas-Boas said: “In a conversation with the player we said we would be willing to accept a deal starting at €70m (£61m). But that offer never materialised [in the summer].”
Mora doesn’t turn 19 until May next year.
By that point he could be weeks away from his big move.
And Real may be joined by a host of other eager suitors if the teenager continues his current rate of progress.
Real Madrid are said to be keeping tabs on the youngster 
