Mexico hero Guillermo Ochoa could achieve a historic World Cup feat that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are also chasing after a shock injury blow.
Mexico are among the three hosts for the showpiece in North America and will stage the opening game against South Africa in a repeat of the 2010 curtain-raiser on 11 June.
El Tri have received some unfortunate news on the injury front as their first-choice goalkeeper Angel Malagon ruptured his achilles in his left ankle while in action for Club America against Philadelphia Union in the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16.
Although his manager André Jardine had hoped that it was not a complete rupture, the worst possible outcome was confirmed - with Malagon undergoing surgery which is set to keep him out for six months.
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The lay-off follows on from an injury which kept him absent from the 2024 Copa America and will rule him out of the World Cup on home soil. After Mexico's official X account wished him a speedy recovery, Malagon penned an emotional message on social media.
"There are moments in life that are hard to understand... I want to thank everyone, my teammates for their words and prayers, especially my family for never abandoning me."
He added: "Wounded and sad with my soul in pieces... Trying to understand the situation and asking why? That dream seems to be slipping away but I know God will give me the answer someday."
Guillermo Ochoa may get chance to create World Cup history
However, the sad news for Malagon might just give veteran Ochoa the opportunity to achieve a feat which has never happened before in the World Cup.
Manager Javier Aguirre is expected to name three goalkeepers in his squad, with Raul Tala Rangel of Chica set to be joined by a further two shotstoppers.
Ochoa 40 is believed to be a strong contender, with El Pais reporting that he will be considered by Aguirre for the upcoming friendly games against Portugal and Belgium.
There are a number of options, including Carlos Acevedo of Santos Laguna and a string of other younger goalkeepers.
But if Ochoa gets the nod, he will have been called up for a record-breaking sixth World Cup. Capped 151 times by his country, Ochoa was in Mexico's squad in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
He did not feature in his first two tournaments but was the first-choice between the sticks in 2014, 2018 and 2022 and achieved cult hero status with a number of incredible displays.
Ochoa has not played for Mexico since 2024 and is currently playing in Cyprus with AEL Limassol.
No player has ever been called up for six World Cups but Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, arguably the two greatest players of all time, are set to add another record to their respective collections in the summer.
They could well be joined by six-time Gold Cup winner Ochoa, who has even been laughing at a fan's post joking that he will "appear from nowhere to put up a 5 star performance against South Africa.
Ochoa replied to the fan's post with laughing and saluting emojis.
Topics: FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi
Josh Lawless