Guillermo Ochoa said he would take "the affection of millions" away with him after announcing his retirement from professional football. 

Ochoa confirmed his decision in a social media post on Tuesday, having appeared at his sixth World Cup this summer with Mexico. 

The 41-year-old is only the third player, along with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, to be named in six World Cup squads in the tournament's history. 

He appeared 153 times for Mexico, with only Claudio Suarez (178) and Andres Guardado (180) winning more caps for the country, with his final outing for his nation coming in a 3-0 win over Czechia in this year's group stage. 

Ochoa became the oldest player to appear for Mexico in a World Cup match aged 40 years and 346 days old, surpassing Rafa Marquez against Brazil in 2018 (39y 139d).

Mexico's World Cup journey ended in the last 16 after losing 3-2 to England at the Estadio Azteca, and Ochoa has since decided to end his 23-year playing career. 

"I never imagined how far a dream could take me," Ochoa said in a social media post. "Today I can only look back with pride and say: THANK YOU to my family.

"Thank you to my team-mates. Thank you to every fan who was there at every stage of the journey.

"I take with me the affection of millions and the peace of mind of having given everything for Mexico.

"What we've lived, no one can take away from us. From the heart, thank you so much."

Ochoa made his debut for Mexico in December 2005 in a 2-0 win over Hungary in a friendly, before he was called up to his nation's World Cup squad for the first time in 2006. 

The veteran shot-stopper had to wait until the 2014 World Cup to make his tournament debut, and he would go on to star for Mexico at the 2018 and 2022 editions. 

He also enjoyed a long club career, playing for the likes of Club America, Malaga and Stanard Liege, racking up 788 appearances for 11 different teams across all competitions. 

Ochoa finished his career at Cypriot side AEL Limassol, making 26 appearances in all competitions and keeping six clean sheets.