World-class every four years: the World Cup buzz is back | OneFootball

A cross into the middle for Mario Gomez. The Germany striker cleverly redirects the ball toward goal with the outside of his boot, only to be denied once again by Germany’s final boss.

In the 89th minute, Guillermo Ochoa launches himself at the ball at exactly the right moment and, thanks to a world-class performance, seals Mexico’s 1-0 opening win at the 2018 World Cup.

Nothing unusual for this goalkeeper at a World Cup. Back in 2014, he drove Brazil to despair, and in 2022 he even made football history against Poland. Guillermo Ochoa is probably the biggest World Cup phenomenon of the past 20 years.

This summer, the Mexican could possibly play in his sixth World Cup, which would make him the record holder for most World Cup final tournaments played. And above all, fate seems to be on his side.

Just under two weeks ago, a horror injury rocked the Mexican national team. First-choice goalkeeper Luis Malagón ruptured his Achilles tendon in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. His dream of a home World Cup was shattered, and coach Javier Aguirre was left scrambling: who is supposed to guard El Tri’s goal this summer?

Could it really be the now 40-year-old Guillermo Ochoa? Initial comeback rumors started circulating online, and in recent weeks they were confirmed. For the upcoming friendlies against Portugal and Belgium, Aguirre called Ochoa back into the Mexico squad for the first time since 2024. Hopefully, by now, he has already watched the highlight reels from the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups.

Right in time for the start of each of those tournaments, Ochoa suddenly performed at a world-class level. At the 2018 World Cup, he was the goalkeeper with the most saves (25). In the 1-0 group-stage win over Germany alone, he stopped nine shots. And in 2022, the iconic curly-haired keeper was there once again.

In the group match against Poland, he became the first Mexican ever to save a penalty. The taker? None other than Robert Lewandowski. Meanwhile, the goalkeeper went viral online under the hashtag “NoMemoNoParty.” But why has the now 40-year-old been relatively quiet between World Cups?

Despite his outstanding World Cup performances, Ochoa never went on to have a truly huge club career. After spells in LaLiga with Málaga and Granada, among others, he now plays for Cypriot top club AEL Limassol — as the first-choice keeper, of course. And that is exactly what he could show again at his sixth World Cup.

If coach Aguirre decides against him, he could well have a small problem. Since the 2014 World Cup, Ochoa has often been called the “Wizard of Mexico” — someone who performs incredible feats for his country and who might even put a curse on his coach if he ruins what feels like an almost prewritten World Cup fairy tale for us.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 JAVIER SORIANO