Mexico City: Guillermo Ochoa, widely considered one of the greatest Mexican goalkeepers in history, announced his retirement from elite football on Tuesday, bringing an end to a distinguished 22-year professional career.
Ochoa, who turned 41 last week, had previously stated that the 2026 World Cup would be his last tournament, though speculation had swirled about whether he might sign with a new club to extend his playing days.
He put those rumours to rest.
“I gave it my all; I left everything on the field for my clubs and the national team, and today I hang up my gloves,” Ochoa posted on social media. “Being a goalkeeper means knowing you might wait 90 minutes for a single moment when everything depends on you. And when that moment arrives, you cannot hesitate.”
Ochoa was named in Mexico's squad for six World Cups, a number shared only by icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He served as Mexico's starting goalkeeper in three of them: Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
Ochoa made his top-flight debut with Club América in February 2004. He spent his first seven seasons there before transferring to French club Ajaccio in 2011, becoming the first Mexico-born goalkeeper to play in Europe. His European career also included stints with Málaga, Granada, Standard Liège, Salernitana, AVS Futebol and AEL Limassol.
“I never imagined how far a dream could take me. Today, I can only look back with pride and say: Thank you,” Ochoa wrote. “I take with me the affection of millions and the peace of mind that comes with knowing I gave everything for Mexico.”
Though he was primarily a backup to Raúl Rangel at the recent World Cup, Ochoa made a late appearance against the Czech Republic in Mexico's final group-stage match before bidding an emotional farewell at the Estadio Azteca.
At the club level, Ochoa captured a league title with América during the 2005 Clausura tournament and won the Belgian Cup with Standard Liège. On the international stage, he led Mexico to six CONCACAF Gold Cup titles and earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.