Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are far from the only World Cup heroes set for their last dance on FIFA’s grandest stage this summer. Guillermo Ochoa, one of Mexico’s most iconic goalkeepers ever, has confirmed he will hang up his gloves after the tournament. Ochoa will hang up the gloves after the 2026 World CupGetty ‘Memo Ochoa’, who will turn 41 at the World Cup, could join Messi and Ronaldo in being included in six editions of the Jules Rimet Trophy. His country, Mexico, are co-hosting the 2026 tournament with the United States and Canada, and thus qualified as hosts. And journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed Ochoa’s intention to retire on social media in a post that was reposted by the man himself. The goalkeeper, who plays for AEL Limassol in Cyprus, later expanded on his intention to leave his career behind after the World Cup. Ochoa set to retire after his sixth World Cup “I’m leaving calmly,” Ochoa told TUDN. “It is difficult, without a doubt, but in my case it will not be so difficult because I have enjoyed it for many years and there comes a point where your head and body say, ‘we have given everything, you have left everything’, then you leave calmly, and that will be my case.” Ochoa’s international future looked to be over after sustaining an injury in El Tri’s Concacaf Nations League clash with Honduras in 2023. Luis Angel Malagon emerged to become Mexico’s first-choice goalkeeper until he ruptured his Achilles tendon in March. Ochoa returned to Javier Aguirre’s squad for the friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, although he was an unused substitute for both matches, meaning his last appearance was in November 2024. Ochoa could be set to feature in his sixth World Cup after returning to the squad this yearGetty Ochoa’s World Cup stats Memo’s back-up role this summer will take some adjusting for fans who have watched him star for Mexico at the past three World Cups. He first arrived at football’s grandest tournament in 2006 as the third goalkeeper but failed to play a single minute. That decision looked to have been an epic mistake, with Ochoa going on to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or just a year later. In fact, his 2007 nomination made him one of only three players who were plying their trade in a non-European league at the time. Ochoa again didn’t play a minute at the 2010 World Cup, but rose to international acclaim in Brazil four years later. Ochoa labelled his own performance ‘unforgettable’ after Mexico drew 0-0 to Brazil at the 2014 World CupAFP Mexico went unbeaten in the 2014 group stages, conceding just once across three games while keeping a clean sheet against hosts Brazil. A Round of 16 exit to the Netherlands followed, but Ochoa returned to the World Cup with a bang in Russia 2018. The 40-year-old kept another clean sheet against an elite nation to help Mexico to a 1-0 win over Germany. The Last-16 again proved their undoing, but Ochoa truly cemented his World Cup legacy in Qatar despite El Tri’s group-stage exit. Mexico’s long-standing No.1 saved a penalty from Robert Lewandowski to rescue a goalless draw with Poland. And only a 95th-minute consolation from Saudi Arabia‘s Salem Al Dawsari meant Ochoa’s side failed to qualify on goal difference. At 37, Ochoa saved a penalty from Lewandowski at the 2022 World CupGetty Throughout the past 12 years, Ochoa has been celebrated for the cat-like reflexes that have also made him a legend in Mexico. As such, it’s ironic that ‘Memo’ has also been named after a rescue puppy adopted by his compatriot and Hollywood icon, Salma Hayek. The Oscar-nominated actress is a huge football fan, with her father-in-law, French billionaire businessman François Pinault, founding the group that owns Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais. And while appearing on The Graham Norton Show, Hayek hilariously admitted she faked an affair as cover to adopt her dog, Ochoa. Salma Hayek’s husband is the president of the group who own Stade RennaisGetty “I had promised my husband I was going t