Guillermo Ochoa, widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers Mexico has ever produced, announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday, drawing the curtain on a storied 22-year career at the age of 41.

The announcement ended months of speculation over whether Ochoa would seek a new club to extend his playing days following the 2026 World Cup, where he had already signalled the tournament would be his last before it began.

"I gave it my all; I left everything on the field for my clubs and the national team, and today I hang up my gloves," Ochoa wrote on social media. "Being a goalkeeper means knowing you might wait 90 minutes for a single moment when everything depends on you. And when that moment arrives, you cannot hesitate."

Six World Cups — an elite company

Ochoa appeared at six World Cups throughout his international career, a feat he shares only with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi among players from their respective generations. He started between the sticks for Mexico at Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022.

At the recent 2026 World Cup, he served as backup to Raúl Rangel but was brought on by manager Javier Aguirre for the final 13 minutes of Mexico's last group-stage match against Czechia. After the final whistle, an emotional Ochoa kissed the goalposts at the Estadio Azteca — the same stadium where his career had begun — before kneeling to receive an embrace from his teammates. Long after the crowd had dispersed, he walked to the centre circle one last time to take in his farewell.

A career built across two continents

Ochoa launched his professional career with Club América in February 2004, spending his first seven seasons there before moving to French club Ajaccio in 2011 — becoming the first Mexico-born goalkeeper to ply his trade in Europe. His European journey then took him through Málaga, Granada, Standard Liège, Salernitana, AVS Futebol, and AEL Limassol, with a three-year return to América between 2019 and 2022.

Among the honours he collected along the way: a league title with América in the 2005 Clausura, the Belgian Cup with Standard Liège, six Concacaf Gold Cup titles with the Mexico national team, and a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"I never imagined how far a dream could take me. Today, I can only look back with pride and say: Thank you," Ochoa wrote. "I take with me the affection of millions and the peace of mind that comes with knowing I gave everything for Mexico."