The legend of Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa lives on. When the time came for Mexico to announce the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, everyone knew Ochoa would be calling it quits after one last dance with his beloved national team.
This World Cup has thrown up memorable stories left, right and center, but few will be more memorable for Mexican fans than the storybook ending Ochoa got on Wednesday night at the Estadio Azteca.
Kobe Bryant’s 2014 Tweet on Guillermo Ochoa Goes Viral
It’s a testament to Ochoa’s longevity that even after all these years, there are various instances of his heroics in goal. While the 3-0 win over Czechia didn’t feature Ochoa at his technicolor best, there was still plenty to talk about as manager Javier Aguirre brought him on for his swansong.
As Ochoa came on in the 78th minute, the Azteca greeted him with perhaps the loudest reception we’ve ever seen a goalkeeping substitute get in the history of the World Cup. With that appearance, Ochoa became the seventh player 40 years or older to appear in this edition of the tournament. For comparison, only seven players aged 40 or older had appeared in the first 22 editions of the World Cup.
As supporters inside the Azteca and those watching from any and every corner of the world brought up their memories of the iconic goalkeeper, fans also dug up a tweet late NBA legend Kobe Bryant made back in 2014.
OCHOA!! Incredible #mexico #worldcup
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) June 17, 2014
That tweet from the Los Angeles Lakers legend came in the aftermath of Mexico going up against a Brazil side featuring Neymar at the peak of his powers. But even as all of Brazil’s stars huffed and puffed, Ochoa stood strong, pulling off spectacular saves in a 0-0 draw. Germany eventually went on to win that edition, with Brazil finishing in fourth place.
Bryant, who grew up in Italy, has noted in multiple interviews that football was his favorite sport growing up. In fact, he also played the sport from age six to 14, before finding his calling with basketball.
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With three wins in three, Mexico win Group A and punch their ticket to the Round of 32. However, unless there’s an emergency, we are unlikely to see Ochoa’s heroics at this World Cup.
In an interview with FIFA this week, Ochoa looked back on his career with the national team, making it a point to thank all his supporters.
“I want to dedicate my career to the people who have stuck with me and supported me in Mexico and around the world,” he said in the interview. “Their love for me, especially off the pitch, tells me that I did things right throughout my career and that I made the right decisions.”
Two decades on from his first World Cup, Ochoa’s resume is packed. He’s won seven titles with El Tri and finishes his career as the third-most capped player in Mexico’s history and the greatest goalkeeper in the national team’s history.
