Ochoa makes Serie A claim amid passport revelation

Nazario Assad

• Updated: 3 Mar 2023 23:24 GMT
• 2 min read

Guillermo Ochoa’s stellar Serie A performances have once again seen him receive Team of the Week recognition, while the veteran Mexico goalkeeper has also attracted interest from Inter and Milan.

After almost two months in Serie A, Ochoa's impact has been immediate in the mission to save Salernitana from relegation.

It is a personal mission for Ochoa to succeed in order to continue his career in one of the world’s elite leagues.

“It’s another challenge. At my age, I see retirement far away. I feel very good physically and mentally I have the desire to fight and compete in a great league and in a great team,” the 37-year-old explained to MARCA Claro.

“I am the first Mexican goalkeeper to take the step of leaving home, and it was very difficult for me, because before I was from outside the EU. Now it is easier because I already have a Spanish passport. I hope this is the key for more Mexican goalkeepers to emigrate to Europe soon.”

"De Sanctis, the club's sports director and former goalkeeper, spoke to me clearly. The starter was injured and they were looking for a top goalkeeper who could play immediately. Here in Italy they are used to experienced goalkeepers. That's why I started playing.

"Then the starter recovered, he played twice, we changed coaches and in this last game I started with Paulo Sousa, the new coach. I only asked the club to give me the chance to compete and that the starter not fixed. So I didn’t join simply as an injury replacement. And that was the case.

“Now I'm starting again, and I feel strong enough to compete in a big league. I came to fight, not to be given anything. Salernitana's goal is to stay in Serie A and grow little by little. My goal is to fight to play as much as I can.”

Ochoa to Inter or Milan?

Ochoa, meanwhile, has been linked with a sensational move to some leading Italian clubs, such as Inter or Milan, but he is tight-lipped on what might happen in the future.

“There have been approaches from other clubs, but I already have a lot of experience and rumours are sometimes useless,” he said. “The important thing is what you do on the field. The important clubs in Italy already know that I have an EU passport, which makes everything easier,” Ochoa said.

“They have always asked me why I never got to a big club in Europe, and the passport thing was crucial. They said yes, but then they didn't have an extra place for a non-EU player. Now I play as an EU player and that makes the future in Italy easier... and in Europe.

“I can provide seriousness, experience and I can contribute as a starter or as a backup. Rumours motivate me, they don't distract me. Hopefully one day I can play in the Champions League. We'll see what happens in these six months of contract. In summer I could already be a free agent.

“Spain is a place I would love to play again. You never know. It would be great to find a place there one day.”