Ochoa Gets the Nod: Aguirre Names Veteran as Mexico’s Starting Keeper

Guillermo Ochoa is back between the posts for Mexico. According to Diez, head coach Javier Aguirre has chosen the seasoned goalkeeper as El Tri’s starter for the 2025 Gold Cup, marking a significant return for the 39-year-old after missing recent major tournaments.

Despite being left out of the Nations League and the upcoming Copa América, Ochoa's experience —including appearances in five World Cups— tipped the balance in his favor. Aguirre emphasized that leadership and calm under pressure are qualities the squad will need in a competition expected to be tightly contested.

Currently playing for AVS in Portugal, Ochoa beat out younger contenders like Luis Ángel Malagón from Club América and Raúl Rangel of Chivas, both of whom are also on the 26-man roster. Notably, Álex Padilla, the promising Bilbao-born goalkeeper with dual nationality, was left off the list.

Mexico’s campaign kicks off on June 14 against the Dominican Republic. They will then face Suriname and Costa Rica in the group stage. For Aguirre, it's the first major tournament in his latest spell at the helm, and Ochoa is once again a central figure in the team’s ambitions.