Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico’s renowned goalkeeper, stepped onto the pitch in the 78th minute of Mexico’s match with Czechia, marking his emotional World Cup farewell. The stadium erupted in cheers as Ochoa, clad in a purple jersey and shorts, made the sign of the cross and high-fived his teammates.

A Legendary Career

Ochoa, who turns 41 next month, is retiring after six World Cup selections, more than 150 national team games, six CONCACAF Gold Cup titles, and an Olympic bronze medal. His jersey was branded with a commemorative patch marking his sixth World Cup, an exclusive club with only two other members: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Mexico national team coach Javier Aguirre said, ‘I felt that Memo had to play. For how long? I didn’t know, but I knew it was a night for Mexico to enjoy its legend that is Memo Ochoa.’ Ochoa’s moment came when a long goal kick began a play that ended with teammate Alvaro Fidalgo scoring. Mexico won 3-0 in front of a crowd of nearly 81,000.

A Poetic Return

Ochoa’s farewell match was a poetic return to the stadium where he kicked off his career at Club América as a 19-year-old. ‘Being able to close it out here at Estadio Azteca — with my people, with my family, a World Cup — was the cherry on top,’ he said. ‘I’m happy, I’m grateful, empty — I’ve given it all. I left everything.’

Fans like Jesús Martínez, a 35-year-old lifelong Mexico fan, watched the match and likened it to ‘a fairy tale.’ Martínez said, ‘Everything just played out the right way for Mexico. When the crowd started chanting ‘Memo, Memo,’ you could hear it on the broadcast. People at the bar where I was at, we all started chanting it, as well, and then when he came in everyone was clapping and cheering.’

Ochoa’s teammates are among his fans. Gilberto Mora, Mexico’s 17-year-old starlet attacker, told FIFA, ‘Memo Ochoa is my idol.’ Mora said, ‘When I was growing up, I used to watch the national team’s matches, and Memo was always in goal, making saves to keep us in the game. Now being able to play alongside him on the pitch and call him a team-mate is a dream come true.’

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.