The World Cup Mainstays: Messi, Ronaldo & Guillermo Ochoa
The World Cup, the pinnacle of international football, every nation has the right to participate with every player holding the same dream, to become a world champion. A feat unmatched by any other international competition. A tournament that creates legends of the game, inspirational stories and some of the most joyous moments for fans and players across the world.
Each generation has the usual suspects of nations that appear in this competition, Brazil, serial winners, France the current force in international football. Even players are commonplace in this competition, the likes of the two greatest to play the game, Messi and Ronaldo have appeared in five World Cups and are likely to make that six in 2026. However, alongside these two greats of the game sits one other name, Francisco Guillermo Ochoa Magaña, better known as Memo Ochoa.
Anyone who has watched the World Cup in the last 20 years will undoubtably know who this man is, often referred to as the man who only ever seems to play in the World Cup. Ochoa has been a long servant to the Mexican national team over the last 20 years and still represents the nation in goal. As of today, Ochoa has racked up 151 apperances for his beloved nation. Similar to Messi and Ronaldo though Ochoa is creeping up there with his age, now 39 it’s safe to say his best years are behind him. However, that has not deterred him from working towards that sixth World Cup trip.
By the time the World Cup comes around Ochoa will be 40, and with the final expected to be played on the 19th of July 2026, if by some miracle perhaps Mexico reach the semi-finals or final Ochoa would have reached 41 being born on the 13th of July 1985. As rare as going to five World Cups is, somewhat surprisingly four of the eight players to go to five World Cups are Mexican, Antonio Carbajal, Andrés Guardado (Mexico’s all time most capped player with 180 appearances) and Rafael Márquez. The longevity of Mexican players is clearly overlooked and perhaps the trust in the season veterans should gather more attention.
Focusing on Ochoa, his personal footballing career didn’t quite hit the heights of his potential six World Cups club. It goes without saying that Messi and Ronaldo are the greatest to play the sport but what about Ochoa and his career? Why did he no reach or accomplish what Messi or Ronaldo did? Ochoa made his professional debut for Mexican giants Club de Fútbol América S.A. de C.V. (América) in 2004 at the mere age of 18 years old. Having to share the goalkeeping berth with then veteran goalkeeper Adolfo Ríos and replacing him as the number one following the retirement of Ríos. During this stint at América Ochoa made 239 appearances and established himself as arguably the best goalkeeper in the western hemisphere at the time.
In 2011 Ochoa decided to test himself in Europe, signing for newly promoted side Ajaccio in Ligue 1. A couple of years to remember for Memo in France, keeping the newly promoted side in the top division for the next two seasons and winning on both occasions the fans Player of the Season award. During his time at Ajaccio offers from Turkish side Fenerbahçe and Spanish side Sevilla arrived but the clubs and Ochoa failed to come to agreement with Ochoa staying put. The third season however did not end as Ochoa would have wanted, relegation back to Ligue 2.
Following the relegation and the end of his contract Ochoa secured a move to La Liga side Málaga on a three-year contract after making 112 appearances for Ajaccio. Ochoa found it difficult to break into the starting eleven at his new club with then manager Javi Gracia preferring Cameroon’s number one keeper Carlos Kameni. It was during his time at Málaga that Ochoa was linked with a move to Liverpool, this never materialised, and Ochoa was then ranked as the seventh best goalkeeper in the world in accordance with the International federation of Football History & Statistics 2014 edition.
Post a loan with Grenada which led to a relegation from La Liga, Ochoa moved to Belgian side Standard Liège. Quickly becoming a reliable and steady goalkeeper and winning over the fans almost immediately. In his two seasons at the club Ochoa only missed two league games and even made eight appearances in the Europa League and scooping the clubs Player of the Season. After this successful spell in Europe Ochoa decided to head home and re-join the first side to give him an opportunity, América.
Another three years of success at América and captaining the side in August 2020, Ochoa went on to break the record of most clean sheets for the club with 110. Gathering another 118 appearances for the club bringing a total of 349 appearances for the side. Since then, Ochoa has visited Italy for a short time with Salernitana, again helping the club avoid relegation and winning the clubs Player of the Season. After relegation in the following season Ochoa has signed for AVS in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Ochoa came to the decision to stay in Europe to boost his chances of making the cut for the 2026 World Cup squad.
During a career that has seen Ochoa play at several clubs it has always been his international career that has caught the eye of many football fans. His World Cup performances have always been a standout for his career and with Ochoa still plying his trade in a top European league he will be hoping to make the squad for at least two more years.
Ochoa is more than just a World Cup goalkeeper, just in 2023 he helped Mexico win the Concacaf Gold Cup. This would be the fifth Gold Cup title of his career leaving him to stand alone at the top as the only player to reach this feat. For all of his successes with the Mexican national team Ochoa still insists that appearing in a sixth World Cup would be a special achievement for him, even more so as the tournament will be partly held by his home nation alongside the USA and Canada.
With Javier Aguirre currently at the helm of the national team it appears there is a likely chance of Ochoa making the cut. Aguirre was in charge during the 2010 World Cup in which Ochoa was part of the squad, albeit playing second choice to then veteran goalkeeper Oscar Perez. Aguirre has stated that the door remains open to any experienced player if they can prove they are worthy of making the squad. Ochoa was recently called up to the national team but did not play with Aguirre choosing Raul Rangel and Angel Malagon to step between the sticks. After winning 2-0 against neighbours the USA Aguirre was asked why he did not play Ochoa commenting “Memo is perhaps the one with the least to prove to me. I’ve known him for many years and know all about his ability.”
Aguirre’s comments perhaps give Ochoa the belief he is in line to appear at the World Cup, further relaying “He helps the young players a great deal and possesses charisma.” It is entirely possible Ochoa makes the squad to play as a back-up, Aguirre may see his dressing room stature just as important as his goalkeeping ability.
With the World Cup not too far away will we see Memo Ochoa make history of becoming, more than likely, one of only three players (Messi and Ronaldo if they appear) to reach six World Cups? As a football fan it would be a Cinderella story to see Memo Ochoa between the sticks one last time for the Mexican national team. Maybe he’s past saving penalties from Robert Lewandowski and keeping clean sheets against Brazil, two memorable performances, but for the culture of football it would be fantastic to see him wear the jersey in just one more tournament. Hopefully after making over 150 appearances for Mexico he is given his opportunity, one that he fully deserves.
Researched and Written by BSc Cavan Campbell
