Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa retires after 22-year career

Guillermo Ochoa has ended a distinguished 22-year professional football career, announcing his retirement from both club and international play. The 41-year-old goalkeeper, who turned that age last week, had previously indicated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would mark his final tournament, though uncertainty remained about whether he might join another club to extend his playing tenure.

Ochoa's career began in February 2004 with Mexico City's Club America, where he spent his first seven seasons before moving to French club Ajaccio in 2011, becoming the first Mexico-born goalkeeper to play in Europe. His European journey included periods at Malaga, Granada, Standard Liege, Salernitana, AVS Futebol, and AEL Limassol, with a three-year return to Club America from 2019 to 2022.

At the international level, Ochoa appeared in six FIFA World Cups, a distinction shared only by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He served as Mexico's primary goalkeeper in three World Cups: Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022. During the recent World Cup in North America, Ochoa appeared as a backup, entering the final 13 minutes of Mexico's last group-stage match against Czechia. Following that match at Azteca Stadium, where his career began, Ochoa kissed the goalposts and later walked to the centre circle for a final farewell.

Ochoa's honours include a league title with Club America during the 2005 Clausura tournament and the Belgian Cup with Standard Liege. Internationally, he helped Mexico secure six CONCACAF Gold Cup titles and earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.