Goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa, 39, said he hopes his move to Portuguese Primeira Liga side AVS will boost his chances of being called up by Mexico for a record sixth World Cup in 2026.
No male footballer has ever played in six World Cups. Brazilian midfielder Formiga holds the record for most Women's World Cup appearances with seven.
New Mexico coach Javier Aguirre left out veteran players such as Ochoa, Raul Jimenez and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano from his first 26-man squad for the Mexican national team for two friendlies in September.
On Saturday, Mexico beat New Zealand 3-0 and will face Canada on Tuesday (at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas). The roster marks the absence of the aforementioned high-profile players who had previously been left off the Copa America roster.
Ochoa said he is confident he can present an offer to return to The Tri and contribute to the Portuguese first division club at the same time.
“The other players have always spoken highly of the level of play here in Portugal,” Ochoa said of his Mexican teammates Hector Herrera, Diego Reyes, Miguel Layun and Jimenez.
“And for me the motivation is to continue getting to know this new league and to continue with the idea of reaching the Mexican national team in my dreams and playing in the next World Cup.”
The September matches are the first for Aguirre in his third stint with the national team, having previously coached them in 2001-02 and 2009-10. Ochoa is Mexico's most-capped goalkeeper with 150 appearances and is among four Mexicans, along with Antonio Carbajal, Rafa Marquez and Andres Guardado, to have played in five World Cups.
Aguirre and his men will next face the United States national team in a friendly hosted by Mexico on October 15 at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara.
In 2022, Ochoa joined Serie A side Salernitana on a free transfer in January 2023 before leaving at the end of last season. He joined Aves as a free agent earlier this month.
AVS is currently in 11th position in the Portuguese league, having accumulated one draw, one win and two losses in the four games it has played.
“I want to help Aves grow,” he said, adding that he hopes to make his debut for the club soon.
