Une légende de la Coupe du monde, qui participe à sa sixième édition, laisse entrevoir sa retraite dans un message émouvant

Mexico legend Guillermo Ochoa has seemingly confirmed he will be retiring from football following the World Cup.

The 40-year-old is involved in his sixth World Cup – a joint record alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Ochoa seems set to retire from professional football after the 2026 World CupGetty

Goalkeeper Ochoa, who will turn 41 during the global tournament, has been named in each of Mexico’s squads since 2006.

Sixth sense

Having failed to feature in both the 2006 and 2010 editions, he got his first taste of World Cup football in Brazil in 2014 – becoming a global cult hero in the process.

He conceded just once across his three group stage appearances – notably putting in a dazzling display to keep Brazil at bay – as Mexico crashed out in the last-16 to the Netherlands.

Four years later in Russia, Ochoa repeated his heroics – notably starring in his side’s 1-0 win over Germany – as Mexico again advanced into the knockout stages.

And in Qatar in 2022, the now-AEL Limassol shot-stopper saved a penalty from Robert Lewandowski in 0-0 draw with Poland as Mexico only failed to make it out of Group C on goal difference.

Ochoa was an unused substitute in Mexico’s World Cup opener last week as the co-hosts kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa.

It remains to be seen whether he will be involved in their final Group A games against South Korea and Czech Republic.

Should that be the case, he may have already played his final match not only for Mexico, but in professional football altogether.

In an emotional interview with FIFA as part of their ‘Letters That Unite’ series, the 152-cap international broke down in tears when reading words from his daughter Lucciana.

Attention then turned to his time left in the game, as Ochoa, who had previously suggested he would hang up his gloves for Mexico after the current competition, hinted at retiring from all forms.

Ochoa was an unused substitute in Mexico’s 2-0 win over South AfricaGetty The legendary goalkeeper has won a record six CONCACAF Gold Cups with MexicoGetty

What did Ochoa say about his future in football?

He said: “I started playing at the age of ten, ten years in which, between school and football, there’s been little time to do the things children usually do.

“There are things you have to decide on and sacrifice when you’re so young.

“School trips, graduation trips, being able to go on an exchange to another country to study, so many things you miss out on.

“So, it’s all been a never-ending cycle for over 22 or 23 years, with little time for holidays, for the family, to take them out.

“And the Mexican national team has always been my compass, my direction in my career, my life.

“I can’t imagine my career without the national team.

“I don’t know what my career would be like without the national team.

Ochoa was overcome with emotion when discussing his international careerFIFA The veteran shot-stopper broke down in tears as he spoke of his imminent retirementFIFA

“And now that my time with the national team is ending, I don’t see any more meaning in football, I don’t see any more meaning in continuing to play.

“I don’t see the point in keeping on playing.”

Ochoa was then once again was forced to take a moment to wipe away tears and compose himself.

Gritting his teeth while crying, he added: “I’ve enjoyed each moment here.

“I gave it my all. I leave peacefully and with my head held high and I am proud to have experienced this.”

What has Ochoa won for Mexico?

A true legend for Mexico, only Andres Guardado [180 caps] and Claudio Suarez [177 caps] have featured more times for the national team than Ochoa.

Ochoa has joined Ronaldo and Messi in being named in a record six World Cup squads

A six-time winner of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Ochoa has been involved in 60 per cent of the country’s triumphs in the premier tournament for nations from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

He was also part of the Mexican squad that claimed a bronze medal at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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