MEXICO CITY (AP) — Guillermo Ochoa Widely regarded as one of the greatest Mexican goalkeepers of all time, he announced his retirement from elite soccer on Tuesday, bringing an illustrious 22-year professional career to an end.
Ochoa, who turned 41 last week, mentioned before it is 2026 world cup This would be his last competition, but there was speculation that he would sign with a new club to extend his playing days.
He put those rumors to rest.
Ochoa posted on social media: “I gave my all. I left everything on the field for my club and my country. And today I hang up my gloves.” “Being a goalkeeper means you’re prepared to wait maybe 90 minutes for a moment where it’s all on you. And when that moment comes, you can’t hold back.”
Ochoa has been selected for Mexico’s World Cup squad six times, a number shared only by icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He was Mexico’s starting goalkeeper in three tournaments: Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
Ochoa made his senior debut with Club America in February 2004. He spent his first seven seasons with Club América before moving to French club Ajaccio in 2011, becoming the first Mexican-born goalkeeper to play in Europe. His career in Europe also included stints with Malaga, Granada, Standard Liege, Salernitana, AVS Futebol and AEL Limassol, before returning to the United States for three years from 2019 to 2022.
“I never imagined that my dreams would take me this far. Today, I can look back with pride and say nothing but ‘thank you,'” Ochoa wrote. “I leave with the love of millions of people and the peace of mind that I gave everything for Mexico.”
Ochoa played primarily as a substitute for Raul Rangel in recent World Cups, but coach Javier Aguirre brought him on for the final 13 minutes of Mexico’s final group stage game against the Czech Republic. After the final whistle, an emotional Ochoa kissed the goal post at Estadio Azteca, the venue where his career began, before kneeling down to accept hugs from his teammates. Long after the stands were empty, Ochoa stepped out into the center circle one last time to say his final goodbyes.
At the club level, Ochoa won a league title with the United States at the 2005 Clausura Tournament and won the Belgian Cup with Standard Liege. On the international stage, he led Mexico to six CONCACAF Gold Cup titles and won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
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