Guillermo Ochoa hopes to play in a record sixth World Cup after being named in Mexico’s squad for this summer’s tournament.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper has joined Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the first players to be selected for a sixth World Cup.
Former Ballon d’Or rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set to feature prominently for holders Argentina and Portugal, respectively, but Ochoa has seen limited action for Mexico in recent years.
Ochoa made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006 and spent last season playing for Cypriot side AEL Limassol.
Fulham striker Raul Jimenez is also part of Javier Aguirre’s 26-man squad, which will be led by captain Edson Alvarez, who spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce from West Ham.
At 17, Gilberto Mora is set to become the youngest player to represent Mexico at a World Cup, while 23-year-old Armando Gonzalez is another emerging talent to make the cut.
US-developed dual nationals Obed Vargas and Brian Gutierrez are among the younger players in the squad, while Aguirre has also picked Spain-born midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo and Colombia-born forward Julian Quinones – both naturalised players who have become national team regulars.
This will be Aguirre’s third World Cup as Mexico coach, having also led them at the 2002 and 2010 editions.
Mexico are co-hosting this year’s event with the US and Canada, and play their final warm-up game against Serbia on Thursday.
They then play South Africa in the World Cup opener at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on 11 June, before facing South Korea in Zapopan on 18 June and the Czech Republic at Estadio Azteca on 24 June.
