América set to honor Guillermo Ochoa in farewell tribute

Some numbers are hard to believe even when they're spelled out in black and white. 154 appearances for the Mexican national team, six World Cups played, and a spot shared only with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in that most exclusive of clubs. That's the resume Guillermo Ochoa closes his career with, and América, the club where he was born as a footballer, already has a fitting tribute planned.

The 41 year old goalkeeper announced his retirement from the game following the 2026 World Cup, and the Eagles aren't about to let the moment pass without giving him the sendoff he deserves. The tribute is set for October 25, during the Liga MX match against Pachuca at Estadio Banorte. A fitting stage, at home, to close a circle that began more than two decades ago.

Because above all else, Ochoa is a homegrown product. He debuted with América's first team at 18, back in 2004, and picked up six titles during his first seven years there. Then came his European adventure: in 2011 he became the first Mexican born goalkeeper to play on the continent when he signed with France's Ajaccio. From there, his career took him through Málaga, Granada, Standard Liège, Salernitana, AVS Futebol and AEL Limassol, with a three year return to América between 2019 and 2022 somewhere along the way.

Closing the book with the national team

His final match as a professional already has a date on the calendar: June 25, when he came on as a substitute in Mexico's 3-0 win over Czechia in the World Cup group stage. It was his 154th cap with El Tri, placing him squarely in the conversation among the longest serving goalkeepers and players in World Cup history. Before that, the Mexican Football Federation had already paid him tribute earlier this month, during Mexico's 2-0 loss to Chile in a friendly played in Los Angeles. A farewell that unfolded in chapters, as if no one wanted to let him go completely.

Now it's the club that developed him taking its turn. América is preparing its own goodbye, one that will surely fill Banorte with applause for a goalkeeper who left his mark on an era, both in Mexico and in the European leagues that welcomed him.