It turns out Guillermo Ochoa is more than just a World Cup wonder.
For years, the experienced Mexican – a goalkeeper with 134 international caps under his belt – has earned plaudits while playing for his country but this season, Ochoa has proved he can do it on the club stage.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper joined Serie A outfit Salernitana on a free transfer in December after leaving Club America, and in his first two games in Italy's top flight, he made a quite remarkable 18 saves.
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In fact, no other goalkeeper in the league has made more stops than Ochoa, who pulled off nine saves on a memorable debut against AC Milan.
Four days after that masterclass against Milan and Ochoa was back at it when Davide Nicola's side hosted Torino.
Here's how social media reacted to his blistering start in Serie A.
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One said: "Memo Ochoa is brutally deconstructing the theory that he 'can't cut it at club level' and is 'a World Cup wonder' for Mexico every four years. He's doing it at nearly 38, for Salernitana, in one of the biggest leagues on the planet. World-class again today."
Another commented: "Salernitana signing Guillermo Ochoa is a major coup. As shown in the World Cup for Mexico he's a goalkeeper of high, high quality. Today's 2-1 loss to Milan would've been a bloodbath had it not been for him. He'll be crucial for them in their mission of staying in Serie A."
A third wrote: "Wait... So you're telling me Guillermo Ochoa actually exists outside of the World Cup construct?"
After featuring in five World Cups, the former Malaga, Standard Liege and Granada goalkeeper revealed that he wants to “continue playing at the highest level” to reach the 2026 World Cup.
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In his first press conference as a Salernitana player, Ochoa said: "I maintain the illusion and desire to continue at a high level and to be able to play the next World Cup that is played in Mexico and to be able to end my career with that World Cup."
He added: "The situation as a Latin American goalkeeper in Europe, I am the first goalkeeper in the history of Mexico to play in Europe and finding a team that would give a goalkeeper a non-EU place is more difficult.
“Staying six months is an option for the board, it is also an option that I liked. It is a consideration that if at any time I am not participating as I would like or playing what I could play, I have the option of not staying in a club without participating..
“I want to convince the board to stay many more years in Serie A."
Thoughts on Ochoa's most recent move?
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Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy - Twitter/@SerieA_ENTopics: Serie A, Football World Cup
