First-Ever '6 Consecutive' Appearances… "Mexico's Pride, Ochoa"

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If our team's core is captain Son Heung-min, Mexico has the "living legend" goalkeeper Ochoa. This marks his 6th World Cup, and he continues to serve as the team's spiritual pillar.

Reporter Pyeon Gwanghyeon met him in Mexico City.

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During pre-match free-kick training, he volunteers to stand in the defensive wall and constantly encourages his nervous younger teammates.

The "forty-year-old" goalkeeper, Ochoa, stayed on the bench during the opening match against South Africa, but after the victory, local media turned their attention to his assessment.

[Ochoa/Mexico National Football Team Goalkeeper: It was truly thrilling to watch Quiñones' goal from the bench. He is a player in great form right now, so he will continue to help our team in the future.]

Despite his height of 185cm—which is considered short for a goalkeeper—Ochoa has set a major milestone in world football history with his animal-like reflexes.

Starting with the 2006 Germany World Cup, he has achieved the monumental feat of being the first player in history to make "6 consecutive appearances." In 2014, he shocked the world by keeping a clean sheet against the "relentless offensive" of host nation Brazil, and during the 2018 Russia World Cup, he put on a "god-like save show" against our national team, laying the foundation for a miraculous run to the Round of 16.

Although Ochoa is no longer the starting goalkeeper, having recently passed the role to Rangel, he remains the very symbol of the Mexican national team to the fans.

[Miguel Lopez/Mexico Football Fan: Ochoa is one of the best players Mexico has ever had. I am truly proud that he is on the national team.]

Ochoa, who leads by example by being the first to arrive on the pitch during the Mexican team's training, intends to give his all for the team regardless of his role in the upcoming match against South Korea on the 19th.

[Ochoa/Mexico National Football Team Goalkeeper: If I play, I will give 100%. If I don't play, I will maintain a 100% state. All substitute players should do the same.]

{Video reporting: Hwang In-seok | Video editing: Ha Seong-won | Design: Jang Chae-woo}
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.