A fabled Mexican goalkeeper could be called up for a record-breaking sixth World Cup this summer.
Many fans will recognise him by the long, curly hair, the black headband trying desperately to restrain that hair, and the miraculous performances which once saw him dubbed the ‘Mexican Jesus’ as far away as Hong Kong.
Guillermo Ochoa, 40, stands a chance of making Mexico’s squad after their first-choice goalkeeper Angel Malagon ruptured his Achilles.
He has already been to the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 editions, appearing at three of them.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only other players chasing a record-breaking sixth World Cup.
Outside Ochoa, Messi, and Ronaldo, only five other men have made it to five World Cups, and three of those were also Mexican.
Guillermo Ochoa could go to a SIXTH World Cup with Mexico this year after their first-choice stopper got injured
It is not a certainty that Ochoa goes, as he is locked in a battle with Tala Rangel, Carlos Acevedo and Carlos Moreno to squeeze into the three spots.
But there will be clamour for him to be included in the squad, particularly given that Mexico play all three of their group games against South Africa, South Korea, and a currently undetermined opponent on home soil.
He is currently plying his trade with AEL Limassol, who are fifth in the Cypriot First Division.
Ochoa hasn’t played for Mexico since 2024 and despite racking up 151 caps, it is extremely unlikely he will become their record appearance-maker.
That honour belongs to Andres Guardado, who amassed 182 caps.
Ochoa’s most memorable outing was against Brazil in the group stages of the 2014 World Cup, where he produced four world-class saves to deny Paulinho, Neymar (twice) and Thiago Silva when they seemed certain to score.
The goalie is a hero back in his homeland and has amassed 3.1 million followers on Instagram.
He also also acquired a reputation for rather eccentric behaviour. Last summer, he reportedly found an inventive way to bail out on a move to Spanish second division side Burgos.
The 40-year-old is a national hero in Mexico bu currently in Cyprus for AEK Limassol
The medical was done and Burgos had agreed most of the details with Ochoa’s camp, according to Spanish journalist Sergio Gonzalez Pulgar.
However, at that point, Ochoa apparently claimed that one point in the contract needed to be changed, before popping out for a hot drink.
He never came back and, despite ringing him, Burgos never heard from him again. Just over a week later, he signed for Limassol.
