It could be the end of an era for the Mexico national team, as legendary goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was not part of El Tri‘s preliminary roster for the Copa América released on Friday.
Mexico head coach Jaime Lozano has decided that his team needs an injection of new blood, following a disappointing Nations League that saw his team fall 2-0 to the U.S. in March’s final.
Ochoa started that match, but the 38-year-old will make way this summer as Lozano tests out new options in goal.
Luis Malagón is expected to be the starter for Mexico at the Copa América, with Julio González the backup and Raúl Rangel as the third goalkeeper.
According to ESPN Mexico, Ochoa’s international career isn’t necessarily over. The 38-year-old is still hoping to be Mexico’s starter when the country serves as co-host of the 2026 World Cup.
TUDN reported that Ochoa and Lozano jointly agreed to keep the goalkeeper off Mexico’s Copa América roster, with the coach looking to test new options and the player needing to sort out his club future.
Ochoa’s contract with Serie A club Salernitana will expire next month, and the veteran isn’t expected back with the team having already confirmed its relegation ahead of next season.
Ochoa has earned 151 caps for the Mexico national team and has made five World Cup rosters, starting for El Tri at each of the last three.
Mexico has been drawn into Group B of the Copa América, and will face Jamaica, Ecuador and Venezuela in the group phase.
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