Memo Ochoa Eyes Sixth World Cup: Could the Curly-Haired Legend Join Messi and Ronaldo in History?
Guillermo Ochoa is eyeing a sixth World Cup appearance with Mexico after Luis Ángel Malagón's Achilles injury, potentially joining Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to feature in six editions. The 40-year-old cult hero, known for iconic saves against Brazil and Germany, could snag a backup spot despite not playing for El Tri since 2024. His inclusion would eclipse Mexican legends like Rafael Márquez and Antonio Carbajal.
Memo Ochoa Eyes Sixth World Cup: Could the Curly-Haired Legend Join Messi and Ronaldo in History?
Imagine nursing a pint, chatting footy, and someone drops this bombshell: Guillermo Ochoa, the Mexican keeper with saves that defy gravity, might gatecrash the most exclusive club in World Cup history. At 40 years old, he's still flipping acrobatics for AEL Limassol in Cyprus's top flight, and now fate's handed him a lifeline back to El Tri.
Injury Opens the Door for a Fairytale Return
Mexico's No.1 hopeful, Luis Ángel Malagón, has ruptured his Achilles – surgery done, World Cup dreams dashed. That's left boss Javier Aguirre scrambling for options ahead of the 2026 showpiece, co-hosted on home soil. Reports suggest Ochoa’s getting the nod for friendlies against Portugal and Belgium this March.
Raúl Rangel is the frontrunner to start, but with three keepers on the plane, Memo’s got a real shout for a bench spot. It’d cap a career that’s seen him bounce around Europe as a journeyman, yet shine brightest when the World Cup spotlight hits.
The Elite Club: Five or Six Tournaments?
Right now, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to hit six appearances each – Argentina and Portugal legends, ticking off every tournament since 2006. Ochoa could make it a trio, leapfrogging the previous record-holders with five nods.
That old guard? German midfield maestro Lothar Matthäus (captain in 1990 triumph), Mexico’s trailblazing keeper Antonio Carbajal (first ever with five, from 1950), and centre-back icon Rafael Márquez (scored in three tournaments). Márquez skippered El Tri from 2002 to 2018, the face of Mexican footy for two decades.
| Player | Country | Appearances |
|--------|---------|-------------|
| L. Messi | Argentina | 2006-2022 |
| C. Ronaldo | Portugal | 2006-2022 |
| G. Ochoa | Mexico | 2006-2022 |
| R. Márquez | Mexico | 2002-2018 |
| L. Matthäus | Germany | 1982-1998 |
| A. Carbajal | Mexico | 1950-1966 |
Ochoa was on the 2006 and 2010 squads but waited till Brazil 2014 for his big break. Messi and Ronaldo? Minutes in every one. Talk about persistence.
World Cup Wizardry: Ochoa's 'Memo Mode'
Memo doesn’t just play World Cups; he owns them. Debut proper in 2014, and boom – clean sheet vs hosts Brazil, six saves, Man of the Match. Mexico were seconds from quarters till the Dutch nicked it late.
Russia 2018? Shocked champs Germany 1-0 with a clean sheet, then another heroic shift vs Brazil. Even denied Lewandowski from the spot in a Poland stalemate. Qatar 2022 kept the magic alive.
Club form? Patchy. But World Cups? He’s a beast: 11 games, 4 clean sheets, just 12 goals shipped. At 40, on home turf in 2026, imagine the send-off. Saves for days, curly locks flying – pure theatre.
Mexico’s hosted bits before, but 2026 with the US and Canada? Ochoa could bow out legendary. Will Aguirre bite? Friendlies will tell. Grab that pint; this summer’s gonna be wild.
(Adapted from reporting by SI Soccer)
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