Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is on the brink of etching his name into the annals of international football history. Should Mexico triumph over the United States in the 2025 Gold Cup final, Ochoa will secure his sixth title in this tournament, matching the record of Uruguayan Ángel Romano, who claimed six Copa Américas between 1916 and 1926. Romano currently holds the distinction of being the player with the most titles in a single international tournament.
Even if Ochoa does not start in the final, his legacy is deeply woven into the most critical moments for the Mexican national team. At 39 years old, he has handed the starting position to Luis Ángel Malagón, who has excelled and kept clean sheets in four consecutive games. Despite this change, Ochoa’s veteran presence remains invaluable to the team.
Ochoa won his first Gold Cup title in 2009 after a dominant 5-0 victory against the U.S. He added titles in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023, with the latter being claimed against Panama. With five trophies to his name, he has surpassed American players Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley, each with four Gold Cup victories.
In his recent season with AVS Futebol SAD in Portugal, Ochoa faced significant challenges in his European career. Although he did not play in the crucial relegation match, his contributions throughout the season were acknowledged with the award for Best Save of the tournament, showcasing his enduring talent.
This weekend, at the NRG Stadium in Houston, the former Club América player has an opportunity to win another Concacaf title. Even if he does not defend the goal, achieving a sixth championship would make him the player with the most titles in a single selection tournament in the region’s history, tying a record that has stood for almost a century.
The names to watch as Ochoa seeks this historic milestone include those who have also made significant impacts in international competitions, highlighting the remarkable achievements of players across different tournaments.