Mexico legend Guillermo Ochoa retires after 22 years

Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, a national icon and one of the most capped players in his country's history, announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, concluding a distinguished career that spanned 22 years. The 41-year-old confirmed his decision in a social media post, coming shortly after his sixth and final appearance at the FIFA World Cup this summer.

Ochoa’s international career is defined by remarkable longevity and historic achievements. He earned 153 caps for Mexico, placing him third on the nation's all-time appearance list behind only Claudio Suárez and Andrés Guardado. His selection for six consecutive World Cup squads, from 2006 in Germany through the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is a feat matched only by global superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He became the oldest player to represent Mexico in a World Cup match at 40 years and 346 days old during the 2026 tournament.

In his retirement announcement, Ochoa expressed profound gratitude. "I never imagined how far a dream could take me," he wrote. "Today I can only look back with pride and say THANK YOU... I take with me the...