Otchoa "Takes Off the Gloves"

Mexico City – AFP – Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa has ended his football career at the age of 41, just days after participating in the World Cup for a record sixth time, a milestone he shares with Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine legend Lionel Messi.

Unlike Ronaldo and Messi, who played every minute of their teams’ matches at the 2026 World Cup, Ochoa was brought on only in the final minutes of Mexico’s match against Czechia in the third and final group stage game. Mexico had already qualified for the knockout rounds, and coach Javier Aguirre substituted him in during the 78th minute amid cheers from fans at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Ochoa was also selected for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, but did not feature in any matches during the tournament.

After concluding his international career, which began in 2005 and included 154 caps for the “El Tri” national team, Ochoa announced his retirement via a social media message. “I have given everything I had for my clubs and for the national team, and today I lay down my gloves,” he wrote, marking the end of a career that spanned nine clubs across seven countries.

A native of Guadalajara, Ochoa began his professional career in Mexico in 2004 and later went on trial in France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, and Portugal.

Ochoa became renowned for his resilience between the posts, thanks to his spectacular reflex saves. He gained widespread acclaim during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when he delivered a memorable performance in a goalless draw against host nation Brazil in the group stage.