Is longtime goalkeeper ‘Memo’ Ochoa nonetheless Mexico’s man in 2026?

Guillermo Ochoa has spent half his life because the final line of protection for Mexico’s nationwide staff.

Nonetheless holding it down as a high choice for Mexico at goalkeeper at age 39, he started what can be a 20-year worldwide profession as a fresh-faced 20-year-old in 2005. In that span, he’s led Mexico in 4 FIFA World Cups and was the backup in one other (2006). Now he’s priming himself to steer the group in 2026 when Mexico, alongside Canada and the US host soccer’s grandest occasion.

It’s not unusual for a goalkeeper to play for many years with anyone membership or nation, however for anybody who has stored a detailed eye on CONCACAF nations, it has to really feel as if Ochoa’s time with Mexico has spanned a era.

Ochoa, higher generally known as “Memo” has performed in 151 senior-level video games for the nationwide staff and in that point fueled a document 5 wins within the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the most important home event comprised of groups in North and Central America. He’s thought-about one of many gamers to have had probably the most success within the competitors — largely as a result of he’s its longest mainstay.

The majority of his membership profession has discovered him on the rosters of famed Mexican staff Membership América, the place he spent two stints from 2004-11, and once more from 2019-22. He’s performed 357 video games for Membership Americá, extra video games in his complete appearances for the opposite eight golf equipment he’s been aside of together with his newest with AVS Futebol, within the Portuguese first division.

Photograph by Gualter Fatia/Getty Photographs

The transfer to AVS, was strategic one as there have been rumors after he left Italian membership Salertnitana earlier this yr, that he would look to make a transfer to Main League Soccer. Nonetheless, he advised reporters that the transfer to Portugal was to largely keep on Mexico’s radar. With aspirations to play in his sixth FIFA World Cup, Ochoa would maintain the document of the one participant to make six World Cup rosters for one nation.

“For me, the motivation is to proceed to get to know this new league and to maintain up the thought of constructing the Mexico nationwide staff, in my hopes and to play within the subsequent World Cup,” Ochoa stated in keeping with an ESPN report in September.

‘It’s not going to be simple’

Trying on the observe document coming off the final World Cup in Qatar, some may say Ochoa’s want to get again derives from proving individuals flawed who prompt he was completed following Mexico’s unlucky exit in 2022.

Mexico failed to maneuver past the group stage for the primary time since 1978 after Ochoa let in a late purpose in opposition to Saudi Arabia that pushed El Tri down the standings and out of the event on purpose differential.

He even partly blamed himself for Mexico’s shortcomings after the sport, but in addition referred to as out {that a} younger Mexican roster, one in every of its youngest in a FIFA World Cup event took the sector. Nonetheless, in his estimation the group conveyed that there’s loads to take from the loss because the they develop for the long run and look towards 2026.

“You shouldn’t ask your self if you happen to’re transferring ahead or backwards due to a consequence,” Ochoa advised reporters following the loss to the Saudis. “It’s a mistake that each 4 years you say that the cycle is over and also you begin from scratch. It’s one of many errors and experiences that I’ve needed to dwell by means of and that we shouldn’t have made. There are kids who performed their first World Cup and gained expertise and who’re taking a step ahead. And we now have to information them for the subsequent World Cup, as a result of it’s not going to be simple.”

As a bunch, Mexico gained’t have to qualify for 2026, however they’re searching for the teachings realized from the majority of a 2022 group that’s 4 years older, wiser and are decided by the vivid recollections that stem from the sting of their group stage exit in 2022.

May Ochoa be amongst that blend?

It’s too early to inform, however his observe document reveals it’ll be arduous for the Mexico’s federation to neglect what “Memo” has all the time introduced between the posts as its final line of protection.