Messi and Ronaldo set to make World Cup history as Ochoa’s presence with Mexico is at risk

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup in North America has begun, and with it, a historic race that might redefine the event’s file books. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are at the moment the frontrunners to realize one thing by no means seen within the 96-year historical past of the competitors: showing in six totally different World Cups.

Nonetheless, the six-star membership was anticipated to have a 3rd member. Guillermo Ochoa, who—like Messi and Ronaldo—has been current at each version since Germany 2006, is now going through experiences that he could also be ignored of Javier Aguirre’s last plans for the Mexican nationwide group.

Ought to Ochoa fail to signify his nation this summer time, the 40-year-old goalkeeper would stay at 5 participations, leaving the trail clear for Messi and Ronaldo to turn out to be the one gamers in historical past to succeed in the six-tournament milestone.

The battle for Mexico’s aim

Studies from Mexico point out that Raúl ‘Tala’ Rangel (Chivas) and Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna) have nearly secured their spots following the devastating Achilles harm to Luis Angel Malagon, which has dominated the anticipated starter out of the World Cup.

The battle for the ultimate goalkeeping slot seems to be between veteran Jose Antonio Rodriguez (Xolos) and Ochoa. Presently, Rodriguez appears to have the sting within the eyes of the teaching workers.

“All I do know is that Javier [Aguirre] has had talks with Antonio; whether or not he’ll name him up, I don’t know,” a member of Aguirre’s workers instructed Mexican outlet File. “Personally, Antonio is a goalkeeper with good stats and the extent to be on the World Cup, however Javier has the ultimate phrase”.

Messi and Cristiano chasing the all-time scoring throne

The looks file isn’t the one historical past on the road for these legends. Each Messi and Ronaldo are possible coming into their last World Cup and have one final likelihood to turn out to be the competitors’s all-time high scorer.

Reaching this file can be no straightforward feat for both participant, as Germany’s Miroslav Klose continues to carry the all-time mark with 16 targets. Messi is at the moment the closest to catching the legendary striker, sitting at 13 targets after his dominant efficiency in Qatar, the place he netted seven targets.

Ronaldo, alternatively, faces a a lot steeper climb. With 8 profession World Cup targets, the Portuguese captain would want to double his present tally in a single event to equal Klose—a monumental problem even for one of the prolific scorers within the historical past of the game.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, NBA, and tennis. He started his skilled profession in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, the place he first established himself as a author. All through his profession, Gianni has lined main sports activities occasions such because the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments just like the French Open. His means to report on real-time occasions and carry out properly below strain has made him a beneficial member of a top-tier group of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, bringing his experience in soccer, NBA, and tennis to ship authentic content material whereas offering dwell protection of vital occasions.