Mexico City, 22 July (H.S.): Mexican football legend and one of the country’s greatest goalkeepers, Guillermo Ochoa, announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday, bringing an end to his remarkable 22-year-long career.

The 41-year-old goalkeeper had already made it clear that the FIFA World Cup 2026 would be his final tournament. Although there were speculations that he might join another club after the World Cup, Ochoa’s retirement announcement has put an end to all such possibilities.

In an emotional message shared on social media, Ochoa said, “I gave everything I had. I gave my best on the field for my clubs and the national team, and today I am taking off my goalkeeping gloves. Being a goalkeeper means knowing that perhaps you will get only one opportunity in 90 minutes when everything depends on you. And when that moment arrives, you cannot hesitate.”

Ochoa was among the select players who were part of six FIFA World Cup squads for Mexico, an achievement shared by only a few football greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He served as Mexico’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the 2018 tournament in Russia, and the 2022 edition in Qatar.

Ochoa began his professional career with Club América in February 2004. After spending seven seasons with the Mexican club, he joined French side Ajaccio in 2011, becoming the first Mexico-born goalkeeper to play in Europe.

During his European career, Ochoa represented several clubs, including Málaga, Granada, Standard Liège, Salernitana, AVS Futebol, and AEL Limassol. He also returned to Club América between 2019 and 2022.

Reflecting on his journey, Ochoa said, “I never imagined that a dream would take me this far. Today, I can look back with pride and simply say — thank you. I am leaving with the love of millions of people and the satisfaction that I gave everything for Mexico.”

During the 2026 World Cup, Ochoa was primarily the backup goalkeeper behind Raúl Rangel. However, head coach Javier Aguirre gave him an opportunity to play the final 13 minutes of Mexico’s last group-stage match against the Czech Republic.

After the match, an emotional Ochoa kissed the goalpost at the Estadio Azteca, the stadium where his professional journey began. He then embraced his teammates and, after the fans had left, walked to the centre of the pitch one final time to bid farewell to the memorable chapter of his football career.

At the club level, Ochoa won the league title with Club América during the 2005 Clausura season and lifted the Belgian Cup with Standard Liège. Internationally, he played a key role in Mexico’s six CONCACAF Gold Cup triumphs and also won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar