Legendary Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa officially retired from football on 22 July 2026, following Mexico's exit from the 2026 World Cup. At 41, he leaves behind a legacy as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in international football, having appeared in six consecutive FIFA World Cups (2006–2026), a milestone shared only with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Profile and Early Life
Francisco Guillermo Ochoa Magaña, known universally as Memo, was born on 13 July 1985 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He is the son of Natalia Magaña Orozco and Guillermo Ochoa Sánchez, and he has one sister, Ana Laura Ochoa Magaña. Raised in a two-child family, Ochoa is of Latino ethnicity and Christian faith. He stands 6'1" (185 cm) tall and weighs 172 lbs (78 kg), with black hair and dark brown eyes.
Ochoa is sometimes mistakenly associated with the Ochoa brothers—Jorge, Juan, and Fabio—who were infamous Mexican drug traffickers, but he has no relation to them.
Education and Early Career
Ochoa pursued a football management degree through an online programme at the Johan Cruyff Institute. Explaining his motivation, he told the institute's magazine: "I decided to study this degree in order to be better prepared and face my future outside the field."
His professional career began at Club América in 2004, when he was just 18. He wore the number 13 shirt throughout his career, a nod to his birth date of 13 July 1985. Over the years, he played for clubs in Mexico, France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, and Cyprus.
Club Career Timeline
- Club América (2004–2011): His first spell saw him make approximately 239 appearances.
- AC Ajaccio (2011–2014): In France, he made about 112 appearances over three seasons.
- Málaga CF (2014–2017): He featured 11 times for the Spanish side, including a loan at Granada CF in 2016–2017.
- Standard Liège (2017–2019): He made 78 appearances for the Belgian club over two years.
- Club América (2019–2022): He returned for a second spell at his first club.
- US Salernitana (2022–2024): He joined the Italian club in December 2022.
- AVS (2024–2025): He moved to the Portuguese side.
- AEL Limassol (2025–2026): His final club, based in Cyprus.
International Career and World Cup Record
Ochoa made his international debut in 2005, in a match against Hungary that ended 2–0. He earned 154 caps for Mexico's senior team, making him the country's most-capped goalkeeper. He was named in Mexico's World Cup squad six times: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026.
At the 2026 World Cup, Ochoa was not the first-choice goalkeeper; Raúl Rangel started as Mexico's number one. However, Ochoa appeared as a substitute in Mexico's 3–0 victory over the Czech Republic on 24 June 2026. At 40 years and 346 days old, he became the oldest Mexican player to feature at a World Cup. Mexico were eliminated in the round of 16.
Retirement and Net Worth
Announcing his retirement on social media, as featured on Goal.com, Ochoa wrote: "I gave my very best, and I left everything on the pitch for my clubs and the national team, and today I announce my retirement." He added: "I carry with me the love of millions and the peace of mind that comes with knowing I gave everything for Mexico."
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ochoa's net worth is estimated at around $20 million, with total gross career earnings likely exceeding $40 million. His wealth stems primarily from football salaries and bonuses over two decades, supplemented by endorsement deals with brands such as Trebel Music, Nike, Hugo Boss, Perfumerica, and Michelob Ultra.
Personal Life and Family
Ochoa is married to Karla Mora, a Mexican model and social media personality. The couple began dating when Ochoa moved to France in 2009 and married in Ibiza, Spain, on 8 July 2017. They have three children: Lucciana (born February 2013), Guillermo (born April 2015), and Karla (born May 2019). Ochoa previously dated Mexican actress and singer-songwriter Dulce María in 2005, but they parted ways a year later.
Ochoa's retirement marks the end of an era for Mexican football, leaving a lasting impact on aspiring goalkeepers worldwide.
