Guillermo Ochoa announces retirement after World Cup

Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa celebrates their 1-0 victory at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 17, 2018. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS | AFP via Getty Images Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico’s best ever goalkeeper, has announced he will retire from football after the 2026 World Cup. The AEL Limassol goalkeeper will be named for the Mexico squad for a sixth time in his career after having the only major career in Europe for a Mexican goalkeeper as well as some of the best, if not the best, performances by a Mexican goalkeeper in the World Cup.

Ochoa, who came out of Club America, had spells in France, Spain, Belgium, Italy and Portugal besides his current spell in Cyprus. He was the starting goalkeeper for Mexico in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Guillermo Ochoa made his debut in first division in 2004 with Club America.

He would soon gain the starting spot with his great level shown and would only have a setback when Sebastian Saja temporarily benched him in the short tenure of coach Oscar Ruggeri. With America he would win the Liga MX Clausura 2005 title and had enough recognition to be constantly called for the World Cup but not enough to get playing time. He made the 2006 World Cup squad as the third goalkeeper without playing a minute.

In 2007 he would made his big statement match with the National team when he started in the 2007 Copa America against Brazil and had a standout performance in a shocking 2-0 victory for Mexico. Incredibly in the next match against Ecuador, he would be benched for Oswald Sanchez. Ochoa would play the third match against Chile (with Mexico already qualified to the Quarterfinals) and the third place Match.