By Wilson Florez
For the first time since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, The Mexican team has a new piece in its bow. Raul Rangel It debuted in the World Cup with a 2-0 against South Africa. Guillermo Ochoa was left on the bench. “Memo” does not lose hope of playing.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper acknowledged that he is comfortable with his new role within El Tri. “Memo” was aware that Raúl Rangel would be the starting goalkeeper. Times have changed and Ochoa is not the same one who debuted at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“It’s part of life, we’re getting bigger and it’s a pure thing in football. and anywhere and I assume it normally. They are different stages, in the other World Cups, I was at a different time, playing at a different time with a different age,” said the AEL Limassol goalkeeper.
???? Statements in the mixed zone by Guillermo Ochoa, who is playing in his sixth World Cup and shares a record with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/lxVNj0g9lu
— Juan Camacaro (@Soyjuan) June 11, 2026
Despite this, Guillermo Ochoa becomes the first soccer playerat least chronologically, that manages to compete in six World Cups. Ochoa has been in the El Tri squad since Germany 2006. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will match him in the coming days. The name “Memo” is already part of FIFA history.
“Proud of this because it talks about many things behind it. There are 6 world championships, and if you multiply it by each one, there are many years of experience, of perseverance, of discipline, of resilience, of absence, of loneliness during times that are difficult. So, it has been a very nostalgic few weeks that have made me remember the beautiful moments that I have been able to experience and contribute to the national team, and I am very happy that a Mexican is on this list,” he acknowledged.
Guillermo Ochoa is ready to play
Although Raúl Rangel is the starting goalkeeper of the Mexican team, Guillermo Ochoa acknowledged that he is ready to jump into the engramado. “Memo” was not just a trip to the World Cup. The former Águilas del América goalkeeper hopes to see minutes.
“Yes, of course, as we are all ready to playwe have prepared and worked to be available to the coach, and Any of the 26 can play and prepares us for that”, he concluded.
Mexico group in the 2026 World Cup
Keep reading:
– Mexico starts the 2026 World Cup on the right foot by beating South Africa
– Guillermo Ochoa accepts that it will not be easy to leave the Mexican team
– Raúl Jiménez cries after his first goal in a World Cup and dedicates it to his recently deceased father
– “The stage weighed a little on them”: Javier Aguirre assures that El Tri’s legs shook
