The Guillermo Ochoa Silver Glove award is a deserved recognition to one the most underrated goalkeepers in the planet.
The former Club América star made 25 saves in four World Cup matches, averaging 6.25 per game, more than any other goalkeeper in Russia.
Only Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois surpassed Ochoa’s record as he completed 27 saves in seven matches.
Lo de Guillermo Ochoa es INCREIBLE, quedó a 2 atajadas de llevarse el guante de oro con tan solo 4 partidos, Orgullo. pic.twitter.com/JrODHLdxJo
— Mar (@twforevahyjb) 15 de julio de 2018
Memo Ochoa was yet again instrumental in keeping El Tri’s hopes alive throughout the tournament. Unfortunately for him, his excellent performances were not enough for Mexico to qualify to the quarterfinals.
Nevertheless, winning the Silver Glove is an historic achievement, not only for him but also for Mexican football.
Ochoa would have been the tournament’s top goalkeeper had Courtois not made two last-minute saves in the third place match vs. England.
Naturally, this is an extraordinary record for Ochoa, but it is also indicative of the frail defense Mexico had in the World Cup.
Guillermo Ochoa completed nine saves in the Mexico vs. Germany match, breaking his own eight-save record set in the Mexico vs. Brazil match of 2014.
Considered a star when he played for Liga MX giant Club América, Guillermo Ochoa has really struggled to solidify a successful European career.
In 2011, Ochoa signed for Ligue 1 club Ajaccio. Even though the team faced relegation in 2014, Ochoa delivered some outstanding performances during the three seasons spent at the club, particularly this one against PSG in 2013.
Guillermo Ochoa era la primera opción para ir a PSG hace unos años, el tema del clembuterol tumbó la negociación y contrataron a Sirigu.
Tiempo después, Ochoa hizo una de las mejores actuaciones de un arquero mexicano, contra el mismo PSG. 17 tiros a puerta, solo un gol. pic.twitter.com/PbhPt54bar— Eduardo (@edutorresr) 10 de julio de 2018
In spite of Ajaccio’s failures, Ochoa shined brightly and was then transferred to La Liga’s Málaga. The move made sense as long-time Málaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero left the club. However, Ochoa was unlucky at La Rosaleda as manager Javi García preferred Carlos Kameni.
Ochoa failed to secure a habitual spot in the starting 11 and, after two seasons, he was acquired by Granada on a season-long loan.
Much like Ajaccio, Granada was a very limited team that fought relegation risk week in and week out.
Granada was relegated to Segunda División at the end of the 2016-2017 season. Guillermo Ochoa broke the record for the most goals conceded in a single La Liga season with 80.
However, it should be noted that the Mexican was also the goalkeeper with the most saves across the top five leagues in Europe with 162.
Ochoa was nevertheless voted Player of the Season by the club’s fans and signed for Belgian powerhouse Standard Liege in October 2017.
In short, an excellent keeper with a terrible defense.
At Standard, Ochoa has shined as usual and he also won his first trophy in Europe as his team became Belgian Cup champion.
Ochoa has proven to be a world class goalkeeper, and it feels like he has been unlucky.
The Guillermo Ochoa Silver Glove award was deserving. He deserves to play for a better team.
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