MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa said Thursday he will retire from the national team after the World Cup and that the tournament could also mark the end of his playing career.
Ochoa, who will turn 41 during the World Cup, has appeared in the previous five editions and is expected to be called for a sixth, although his place on the roster has not been officially confirmed.
The goalkeeper, who plays for AEL Limassol in Cyprus, said in an interview with TUDN that his departure from the national team is a certainty and that his full retirement “could also be on the cards.”
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre announced a partial roster with two goalkeepers from Liga MX and left a spot open for a third who plays abroad. Although he didn’t name him, Ochoa is the only one who has been called up for recent matches.
“Retiring is undoubtedly difficult, but in my case it won’t be so hard because I’ve enjoyed it for so many years, for so long,” Ochoa told the network. “There comes a point when your mind and body say, ‘You’ve given it your all,’ and you leave peacefully, and that’s going to be my case.”
Ochoa is currently one of four Mexicans to have appeared in five World Cups, along with Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Márquez, and Andrés Guardado.
Ochoa could join Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in appearing in a sixth World Cup.
Ochoa was the starter at the past three World Cups. For now, he seems to be considered as Raúl “Tala” Rangel’s backup.
Mexico is co-hosting the tournament with the United States and Canada.
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FILE - Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa plays a ball during a training session ahead of a friendly soccer match against Portugal in Mexico City, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An intrepid sea lion nicknamed Chonkers is waddling his way into the hearts of tourists and locals who have flocked to San Francisco's Pier 39 for a glimpse of the massive pinniped.
On Thursday morning, visitors snapped photos as the Steller sea lion flopped on the pier, surrounded by dozens of much smaller California sea lions that call the docks home.
“He’s like a Volkswagen! He’s so huge!” said Oluwaseyi Akinbobola, a visitor from Los Angeles who had an extra half hour so she ran down to the pier for a hopeful peek of the elusive sea lion. “I have heard everywhere about this big giant sea lion, and I like to look at things, so just thought I’d check it out.”
Chonkers likely came from up north off the coast of Washington or Oregon and is estimated to weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds (680 and 907 kilograms), said Laura Gill, public programs manager at The Marine Mammal Center in nearby Sausalito. Chonkers has been one of the few Steller sea lions to venture to the pier, which is protected from predators and crashing waves while providing a fish-filled buffet.
“There's plenty of food in San Francisco Bay for them, so the fish, the rockfish, the anchovies, the herring, there’s a lot of easy prey for them,” she said.
The giant sea lion, which was first spotted on the pier last month, has brought the community together, said San Francisco resident Danielle Ovadia. “He’s so precious, and he’s quite literally humongous," she said.
Sea lions have become synonymous with the popular tourist pier, but they didn't start gathering there until after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, according to the marina. One lone male was quickly joined by dozens more and by February 1990, the pinniped population had grown to more than 300.
Chonkers has been spotted at the docks early in the morning but is harder to pin down during the rest of the day, Gill said. She said it is endearing to watch him try to snuggle with the regular sea lions for warmth and it will be interesting to see if other Steller sea lions follow suit.
“He's trying to fit in, but he sticks out like a sore thumb,” she said.
Chonkers, a giant Steller sea lion, lies at center with other sea lions on a dock at Fisherman's Wharf, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Chonkers, a giant Steller sea lion, sits on a dock at San Francisco's Fishermen's Wharf, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
