By Juan Samuel Santana Chávez

Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa began writing his story with the Mexican National Team as a young goalkeeper developed at Club América. His first World Cup call-up came in Germany 2006 as the third-choice keeper, and he repeated the experience in South Africa 2010, though he didn't play in either tournament. Sixteen years after that first trip, the goalkeeper made history by becoming the first Mexican goalkeeper to attend six World Cups: Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and Mexico-United States-Canada 2026.

Ochoa's performances in the World Cups were immortalized by saves that went around the world. In Brazil 2014, he starred in a historic display against Brazil, highlighted by a spectacular save on a Neymar header that FIFA considers one of the best saves in World Cup history. In Russia 2018, he was once again a key figure with decisive interventions against Germany, including a crucial deflection of a powerful Toni Kroos shot that ended up hitting the crossbar. In Qatar 2022, he wrote another unforgettable chapter by saving a penalty from Robert Lewandowski, preserving the draw against Poland and reaffirming his reputation as a goalkeeper who always found his best form when defending Mexico's goal in a World Cup.

In the 2026 World Cup, at 40 years old, Ochoa accepted a secondary role but had the opportunity to enter the field during Mexico's victory over Czechia, sealing a historic sixth World Cup appearance. The Estadio Azteca paid tribute to a player whose career was marked by consistency, resilience, and unforgettable performances between the posts. Beyond the records, Memo Ochoa leaves a legacy that places him among the greatest legends of Mexican football.