Goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa, at the age of 39, has expressed his hopes of increasing his chances of participating in a record-breaking sixth World Cup in 2026 by moving to the Portuguese Primeira Liga team AVS. This demonstrates Ochoa’s ambitious goals for his career in football. Being the first male player to participate in six World Cups would be a remarkable achievement and a testament to Ochoa’s dedication and skill.
The new head coach of the Mexico national team, Javier Aguirre, decided to leave out veteran players like Ochoa, Raúl Jiménez, and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano in his initial 26-man call-up for the Mexican national team’s September friendlies. This decision comes as a surprise to many, especially considering Ochoa’s status as Mexico’s most capped goalkeeper. However, Aguirre seems to be going in a different direction with his team selection, focusing on younger talents and giving them a chance to prove themselves.
Despite being left out of the recent national team call-up, Ochoa remains confident in his abilities and optimistic about his chances of making a return to El Tri. He believes that playing for AVS in the Portugal premier league will not only help him improve as a player but also increase his chances of representing Mexico in the next World Cup. This level of determination and self-belief is admirable and showcases Ochoa’s strong work ethic.
The September friendlies mark the beginning of Aguirre’s third tenure as the national team coach. Ochoa’s absence from the roster highlights the competitive nature of the team selection process and the need for players to constantly prove themselves. With Mexico facing tough opponents like New Zealand and Canada, Ochoa’s absence will surely be felt, but it also presents an opportunity for younger goalkeepers to step up and make their mark.
Memo Ochoa’s career goals and ambitions are clear, and his determination to succeed at both the club and national team level is commendable. While facing setbacks and challenges, Ochoa remains focused on his ultimate goal of representing Mexico in the World Cup once again. His journey with AVS in the Portuguese league will not only test his skills but also provide him with the opportunity to grow as a player. The road ahead may be challenging, but with Ochoa’s talent and perseverance, there is no doubt that he will continue to strive for excellence in his career.