Guillermo Ochoa, the Mexican goalkeeper, is determined to participate in his sixth World Cup.
At 40 years old, Ochoa plays for AEL Limassol in Cyprus, reportedly sacrificing a large salary he previously earned in Liga MX.
Leaving Liga MX for Europe
In January 2023, Guillermo Ochoa decided to leave Liga MX to play in Europe again. He previously played for Club América, where he earned a good salary. Reports indicated Guillermo Ochoa was among the highest-paid footballers in Liga MX for the 2022-2023 season.
With Club América, “Memo” earned around $3.5 million annually.
Sacrificing Salary for World Cup Ambition
To reach the 2026 World Cup, Guillermo Ochoa sacrificed his comfort zone and salary. According to Heraldo Deportes, Ochoa earns around ?480,000 euros annually at AEL Limassol. This represents a significant pay reduction.
The veteran goalkeeper has risked everything to remain in a good league. According to UEFA’s coefficient, the Cypriot League is ranked 17th in Europe, ahead of the Scottish and Swedish leagues.
Ochoa’s World Cup History
Guillermo Ochoa has always aimed to play in his sixth World Cup. His World Cup journey began in Germany 2006, where he was a substitute and did not play. The same occurred at the South Africa 2010 World Cup.
Guillermo Ochoa began playing in the Brazil 2014 World Cup. He has 11 consecutive appearances for El Tri in World Cups, playing in the Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022 World Cups.
Key Stats
- “Memo” has accumulated 990 minutes played in World Cups.
- Guillermo Ochoa has four clean sheets.
- He aims to improve his statistics at the 2026 World Cup.
For now, the Mexican player must focus on securing a place in Javier Aguirre’s final list.