The goodbye (or not so goodbye) of a myth with gloves
Ah, Guillermo Ochoa, the man who has stopped more balls than the excuses of a politician in the campaign. The Mexican goalkeeper, with that mixture of humility and sarcasm that only he knows how to cultivate, announced that this was his last Gold Cup. Although, of course, he said it with the same conviction with which one swears that “this is the last slice of cake.”
In a social media post that mixed nostalgia and pride (and probably a nod to his haters), Memo released: “Life and football gave me the opportunity to experience something wonderful”. Translation: “Yes, I won this cup six fucking times, what have you guys done except criticize from the couch?” Of course, with the elegance that characterizes him, he added: “Each one with its history, its challenges and its joys”. That is, from when he was the child prodigy until now, when he is the “grandfather” that everyone loves but that no one expects to see in the arch.
Records, substitutions and family suffering
For the clueless: Ochoa equaled the Uruguayan Ángel Romano as the player with the most titles in a continental tournament (6). The difference is that Romano achieved it a century ago, when football was played with leather boots and without VAR. Memo, on the other hand, did it in the era of memes and drones. Of course, in this last edition he didn’t play a minute. Does it matter? For him, no. As a good goalkeeper, he knows that sometimes the best save is to stay on the bench and let others do the job.
And speaking of suffering, the hero of Nice 2014 confessed: “Now I have to live it in a different role and I suffer more outside than inside.” That is to say, his family has endured more nerves than an América fan in the finals. But what did you expect? Being the wife, child or even dog of a goalkeeper in Mexico must be like living on an emotional roller coaster with sponsors.
The best came when he talked about his future: “When I said going for a sixth World Cup it is difficult, otherwise many could do it.”. Translation: “Yes, I know I’m 40 years old, but if Aguirre calls me, I’ll run to the goal even if I’m in a wheelchair.” And be careful, it’s no joke: with his yogi’s physique and gladiator’s mentality, he could well be the first goalkeeper to play in a World Cup with gray hair.
Moral? Ochoa can retire whenever he wants, but Mexican soccer is not ready to say goodbye. Meanwhile, we will continue to wonder: in which museum will his gloves be displayed when he retires?
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