After four years of sleep, octopus awakens - Ochoa an option for the World Cup

Legendary goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could achieve something no Mexican player has managed before at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. A ruptured Achilles tendon suffered by Luis Angel Malagon means Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre will have to turn to other options. The battle for the starting spot between the posts is expected to be between the experienced Ochoa and Raul Rangel, who plays for Guadalajara.

The 40-year-old is widely expected to get the chance to guard his country’s goal once again on football’s biggest stage, as he did in 2014, 2018, and 2022. He was also part of the squads in 2006 and 2010, though he did not play a single minute in those tournaments. That means the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico could mark his sixth appearance at the World Cup.

That would be more than fellow Mexicans Antonio Carbajal, Andres Guardado, and Rafael Marquez, all of whom featured in five editions. It would also surpass every other footballer in history—except Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The two global icons could also make their sixth appearance at the tournament this summer.

The famous goalkeeper truly shone in 2014 and 2018, even though Mexico were eliminated in the round of 16 on both occasions. In the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, his spectacular saves helped his nation finish the group stage unbeaten before a painful late comeback saw the Netherlands national football team knock them out 2–1.

At the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Ochoa recorded 25 saves in four matches, making him the second most impressive goalkeeper of the tournament. Only Thibaut Courtois had more, with 27 saves — though he played three additional games.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will not be remembered fondly by Mexicans after their disappointing group-stage exit, but Ochoa still managed to save a penalty from Robert Lewandowski.

Despite his outstanding performances on the biggest international stage, the “octopus from Guadalajara” never truly established himself in European club football. He spent a decade with Club America across two spells and left a deep mark there, but things were different on the Old Continent.

His most successful European stint came with AC Ajaccio in France, where his brilliant displays helped keep the club in the top division for three seasons. After that, he spent three years as a backup at Malaga CF before later spells with Standard Liège, Salernitana, and Portuguese side AVS Futebol SAD.

He is currently playing for AEL Limassol, the seventh-placed team in the Cypriot First Division.

Ochoa has made 151 appearances for the Mexico national team, which places him third on the all-time list behind Guardado (180) and Claudio Suarez (177).