Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Former Mexican national team goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa traded his gloves for a heavy rubber ball this week, taking part in a demonstration of the ancient Maya ball game Pok Ta Pok at Xcaret park in the Riviera Maya.
Videos shared by tourists show Ochoa attempting to strike the solid rubber ball with his hips and following instructions from local guides. The moment quickly spread across social media, drawing attention from soccer fans and cultural enthusiasts alike.
“It was a recreational exhibition, but he showed real enthusiasm and enjoyed the activity,” a witness said.
Pok Ta Pok, the traditional Maya ball game, dates back more than 3,000 years and was practiced by various Mesoamerican civilizations. More than a sport, it held deep religious significance, symbolizing the struggle between life and death as well as celestial movements. Players had to hit a heavy rubber ball primarily with their hips.
Contrary to popular belief, historians have debunked the myth that winners were routinely sacrificed. While some sacrificial rituals did occur, specialists say they were not widespread and depended on the specific context.
Ochoa’s visit comes shortly after his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after which he announced his retirement from professional soccer, ending a career spanning more than two decades.
His engagement with the Pok Ta Pok demonstration highlighted efforts to preserve and share Mexico’s indigenous cultural heritage with both visitors and public figures.
