Cristhian Mosquera: Valencia’s defensive prodigy and Milan’s new target

Cristhian Mosquera, the rising star of Valencia’s defence, has caught the attention of AC Milan as they look to strengthen their squad for the 2025/26 season. Born on June 27, 2004, in Alicante to Colombian parents, Mosquera’s journey to becoming one of Spain’s most promising young defenders is as unique as it is impressive.

Calciomercato report how Mosquera’s athletic journey began not on the football pitch, but on the basketball court. Inspired by the global popularity of the NBA and Spanish basketball icon Pau Gasol’s success with the Los Angeles Lakers, the young Mosquera first honed his skills with a different ball. His tall stature, already notable in his youth, seemed to predestine him for success in basketball.

However, Mosquera’s path soon led him to futsal, where he joined his cousin at San Blas Cañavate, participating in various tournaments. This transition marked his first step towards football, albeit in a modified form. In 2013, at the age of nine, Mosquera finally entered the world of traditional football, joining the youth academy of Hércules.

The pivotal moment in Mosquera’s career came in 2016 when, at 12 years old, he joined Valencia’s youth setup. His physical and technical abilities quickly set him apart, allowing him to rapidly ascend through the ranks. On January 16, 2022, Mosquera made history by becoming the youngest center-back to debut for Valencia’s first team in a Copa del Rey match against Atlético Baleares.

While José Bordalas gave Mosquera his first taste of senior football, it was under Ruben Baraja that he truly established himself as a defensive leader for Valencia. Standing at 191 cm and right-footed, Mosquera is known for his solid defensive skills, athletic prowess, positional awareness, and speed. He’s comfortable playing in both a four-man and three-man defense, occasionally filling in as a fullback when needed.

Mosquera’s durability is particularly noteworthy. As of November 23, 2024, he had played in 48 consecutive league matches for Valencia, a testament to his consistency and reliability.

Internationally, Mosquera has already made his mark with Spain’s youth teams, winning Olympic Gold with the Under-23 squad in the summer of 2024. However, his international future remains open. Possessing a Colombian passport due to his heritage, Mosquera is still eligible to represent Colombia at the senior level, should he choose to do so.

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