A star in France’s Ligue 1 during his time with AC Ajaccio, 41-year-old Guillermo Ochoa could have joined Paris Saint-Germain. The former Mexican international reflected on that failed transfer in an interview with Flashscore.
Ochoa: “Because of that whole affair, I couldn’t sign anywhere.”
“It was difficult. It was tough because I had just come off a summer in which I had suffered a great deal. I was expecting a move to PSG, and then the whole clenbuterol incident occurred. My contract was expiring and I was a free agent, but because of that situation, I couldn’t sign anywhere. My future was extremely uncertain and complicated at the time.
During the summer transfer window, the only club that approached me and said, ‘We trust you,’ was AC Ajaccio. The president, Alain Orsoni, told me: ‘Memo, I believe in you. I take you at your word. I believe everything will turn out fine. Come and train with us. Our doors are open.’ He said: ‘We’re a small team from a small town, but we have a big heart, and the people here will love you.'”
Ochoa could have been a major asset for PSG, a club that struggled for several seasons to find stability in the goalkeeper position. Instead, he made his mark at AC Ajaccio—often to the frustration of the capital club. One notable instance was a 1-1 draw in which the Mexican goalkeeper left the Parc des Princes stunned following a truly stellar performance.
Today, he is regarded as an AC Ajaccio legend. Despite spending only three seasons in Corsica, he left a lasting impression—both on the “Island of Beauty” and on the mainland—thanks to his talent and memorable performances.
