Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa injury update: how long will the Mexico goalkeeper be out for?

It was a night to forget for the Mexico national team against Honduras on Friday. Not only did they suffer a disappointing 2-0 defeat in Tegucigalpa, they were also forced into making an early substitution in goal after undisputed number one Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa suffered an injury.

The former Club América goalkeeper, now playing for Italian club Salernitana in Serie A, was replaced by current Águilas stopper Luis Malagón after only 22 minutes of the first leg of CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final following a collision with opposition player Anthony ‘Choco’ Lozano.

What injury does Ochoa have?

After receiving treatment on the field, Ochoa initially wanted to play on but had to admit defeat, and was later taken to a local hospital to be checked over once the match had finished.

A statement put out by the Mexican national team on Saturday revealed that tests showed the 38-year-old had suffered an “acromioclavicular joint sprain” and “muscle edema” in his right shoulder, with “let’s wait and see” very much the message related to his recovery time.

Former América goalkeeper set for eight to 16 weeks out

Generally speaking, however, this particular type of injury typically takes anywhere from eight to 16 weeks to recover from fully, which means ‘Memo’ is expected to be out of action for a minimum of two months. He will obviously miss the crucial second leg of the clash against Honduras, although he will hope to be fit for the CONCACAF Nations League finals (21 and 24 March), should Mexico qualify, or the Copa América play-in (23 March), if they don’t.

Head coach Jamie Lozano and his backroom staff have opted to call up Pumas goalkeeper Julio González, who has yet to win a cap but has been in good form in Ligx MX of late, as Ochoa’s replacement for the second leg.