It’s now official: Rodrigo Mora, the young talent from FC Porto born on May 5, 2007, has been called up for the first time to the Portuguese national team. At just 18 years old, the attacking midfielder will join the Seleção for the UEFA Nations League Final Four. It’s a pivotal milestone in the career of a player who, for months now, has been turning heads across Portugal.

A pure product of FC Porto

Trained in the prestigious FC Porto academy, Rodrigo Mora perfectly embodies the club’s tradition of producing technically gifted and tactically intelligent players. From his earliest days in youth football, he has always stood out. Creative, tactically mature, and calm under pressure, Mora breaks lines with both dribbling and precise passing.

In 2023, he made the jump to Porto’s B team before being gradually integrated into the senior squad. The club believes in him, and so do the fans. His fluid style, vision, and football IQ already make him a standout among his peers.

What the experts say

The experts are unanimous: Portugal may have found its future playmaker. “Rodrigo Mora isn’t just a good young player—he understands the game with unusual maturity. He always makes the right decision at the right moment,” says a former FC Porto academy coach.

Some compare him to Vitinha, others see a profile reminiscent of Pedri. But Rodrigo Mora seems determined to carve his own path, without rushing through the steps.

A symbolic first call-up

Getting a senior national team call-up at 18 is no small feat. It’s a mark of trust and a recognition of years of hard work. For Mora, this is the reward for a quiet but impeccable journey. His name is on the list for the Nations League Final Four, a tournament where every minute on the pitch is a golden opportunity.

Even if he doesn’t get game time, just being part of the squad will be a valuable experience—one that only a few his age can dream of.

The future in his hands

At this age, things can move very fast. But Rodrigo Mora seems grounded, with the right support system around him to continue progressing without unnecessary pressure. FC Porto is nurturing him, the national coach is giving him a spotlight, and the entire country is watching with hope.

Because perhaps, in a few years, we’ll look back at this May 2025 call-up as the moment where everything truly began.