There is a third player who is set to join Messi and Ronaldo in playing at their sixth World Cup this summer, though there was far less certainty surrounding Guillermo Ochoa’s participation in the tournament.
A veteran of over 150 caps for Mexico, the legendary goalkeeper had made just one appearance for El Tri since the CONCACAF Nations League finals in March 2024, and was not expected to be part of Javier Aguirre’s squad. However, after first-choice shot-stopper, Angel Malagon, suffered an Achilles injury in March, the door opened for Ochoa to make his return to the co-hosts’ ranks at the age of 40.
Ochoa’s nomadic career has seen him spend time playing club football in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal and Belgium, while he spent last season in Cyprus with AEL Limassol. He has hinted that he will retire after the World Cup, bringing to an end the career of a man who has become a tournament staple over the past two decades.
