By AP

This article was published on 22 July 2026.

The retirement ends a 22-year professional career that included six World Cup appearances and numerous titles.

Guillermo Ochoa, widely regarded as one of the greatest Mexican goalkeepers in history, has announced his retirement from professional football, ending a distinguished 22-year career.

Ochoa, who turned 41 last week, had previously stated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be his last tournament although speculation had swirled about whether he might sign with a new club to extend his playing days.

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He put those rumours to rest on Tuesday.

“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 part of Mexico's squad for six World Cups — a feat matched only by legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He was the starting goalkeeper for Mexico in three of those tournaments: the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the 2018 edition in Russia, and the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Ochoa made his top-flight debut with Mexico City’s Club America 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 Malaga, Granada, Standard Liege, Salernitana, AVS Futebol and AEL Limassol, punctuated by a three-year return to Club America from 2019 to 2022.

“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.”

Although he served primarily as a backup to Raul Rangel in the recent World Cup in North America, manager Javier Aguirre brought Ochoa on for the final 13 minutes against Czechia in Mexico’s last group-stage match. After the final whistle, an emotional Ochoa kissed the goalposts at Azteca Stadium – the venue where his career began – before kneeling to accept an embrace from his teammates. Long after the stands had cleared, Ochoa walked out to the centre circle one last time to take in his final farewell.

At the club level, Ochoa captured a league title with Club America during the 2005 Clausura tournament and won the Belgian Cup with Standard Liege. On the international stage, he led Mexico to six CONCACAF Gold Cup titles and earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Ochoa began his top-flight goalkeeping career in 2004 for the Mexico City side Club America
Ochoa began his top-flight goalkeeping career in 2004 for the Mexico City side Club America [File: Andrew Winning/Reuters]

Ochoa’s career spanned several decades, making him a symbol of consistency and resilience in Mexican football. His emotional farewell at Azteca Stadium, where he kissed the goalposts, underscored the deep connection he had with the venue and the fans. As Mexican football looks to the future, Ochoa’s departure leaves a void that will be hard to fill.