PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sergio Ramón Rochet Álvarez |
| Date of Birth | 23/03/1993 (Age: 33) |
| Place of Birth | Nueva Palmira, Colonia, Uruguay |
| Nationality | Uruguayan |
| Height | 1.90 m / 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 82 kg |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #1 |
| Current Club | Internacional |
| Previous Clubs | AZ Alkmaar, Sivasspor, Nacional |
| International Caps | 27+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2026 (with automatic renewal clause) |
| Market Value | €2.0M |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was meant to be Sergio Rochet’s tournament. The 33-year-old goalkeeper from Nueva Palmira had earned the trust of Marcelo Bielsa and was expected to be Uruguay’s starter between the posts. But fate had other plans.
A month before the tournament, Rochet suffered a lower back injury during warm-up for a match against Vasco Da Gama. The injury persisted, limiting his training and affecting his preparation. Uruguay’s campaign ended in the group stage, and Rochet played only 44 minutes—coming on in the second half against Spain after Fernando Muslera was substituted following a mistake.
The injury that had plagued him before the tournament was now compounded by a challenging club situation. Upon returning to Internacional, Rochet faced a new reality: the club had signed a two-time Copa Libertadores-winning goalkeeper, and his position was no longer guaranteed.
Origins
Born on March 23, 1993, in Nueva Palmira, Colonia, Uruguay, Sergio Rochet began his professional career at AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. Over three seasons in the Eredivisie, he made 51 league appearances, developing his craft in European football.
A move to Sivasspor in Turkey followed, but after limited playing time, Rochet returned to Uruguay to join Nacional in 2019. It was at Nacional where his career truly flourished. Over four seasons, he made 100 league appearances, won eight trophies including three Uruguayan Championships, and became an idol and captain of the club. His performances earned him a call-up to the Uruguay national team, making his debut in 2022.
The European Forge
AZ Alkmaar (2014-2017):
Rochet made 51 Eredivisie appearances over three seasons at AZ. In 2015-16, he played 23 league matches, conceding 34 goals with a 67% save percentage.
Sivasspor (2017-2019):
Rochet moved to Turkey, making 15 Süper Lig appearances in the 2017-18 season. He kept three clean sheets and faced 66 shots, saving 40.
Nacional (2019-2023):
Rochet’s return to Uruguay transformed his career. He made 100 league appearances and became Nacional’s captain and an icon. His consistent performances earned him a move to Brazil.
Internacional (2023-Present):
Rochet signed with Internacional in July 2023 for €1.5 million. In his debut season, he made 19 Série A appearances. He won the Campeonato Gaucho in 2025. However, frequent injuries—a broken hand, knee issues, and a foot bruise—have disrupted his time at the club.
In the 2026 season, Rochet has made 17 appearances across all competitions, conceding 19 goals and keeping 5 clean sheets. His contract includes an automatic renewal clause if he reaches 60% of appearances, but his injury layoffs put that in doubt. In August 2026, he underwent back surgery.
The Anatomy of His Game
Sergio Rochet is a commanding goalkeeper who combines shot-stopping ability with leadership. At 190 cm, he has excellent reach and aerial command.
In Possession:
Rochet has been praised for his distribution. A journalist noted that with Uruguay, “he wasn’t as secure, particularly with his feet,” suggesting this is an area of his game that requires consistency.
Out of Possession:
Rochet’s shot-stopping has been a key attribute. At Nacional, he was described as a goalkeeper who “didn’t make mistakes.” In the 2026 Série A season, he has made 33 saves from 42 shots faced, with a 66.7% save percentage and 1.00 goals conceded per 90 minutes. In the Copa do Brasil, his save percentage dropped to 33.33%.
Psychological Edge:
Rochet has been a leader in the dressing room, described as “one of the most active voices” at Internacional. He has maintained the respect of his coaches despite form dips and injuries. His international experience—27 caps for Uruguay—adds to his leadership credentials.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | GA | Clean Sheets | Save% | GA90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Série A | 11 | 11 | 3 | 66.7% | 1.00 |
| Copa do Brasil | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.3% | 2.00 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 (sub) | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| TOTAL | 13 | 13 | 3 | — | — |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2017 | AZ Alkmaar | Eredivisie | 51 | 12+ |
| 2017-2019 | Sivasspor | Süper Lig | 15 | 3 |
| 2019-2023 | Nacional | Primera División | 100 | 25+ |
| 2023-Present | Internacional | Série A | 33+ | — |
| TOTAL | — | — | 199+ | — |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2022 | — | Group Stage |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | Group Stage |
| Uruguay Senior Career | 27+ | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Senior Debut | AZ Alkmaar |
| 2022 | Uruguay Debut | Senior international debut |
| 2022 | World Cup Debut | Qatar 2022 |
| 2023 | Internacional Transfer | €1.5M move to Brazil |
| 2025 | Campeonato Gaucho Winner | Internacional |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | 44 minutes vs Spain |
What these figures reveal is a goalkeeper of significant experience who has played in four different countries. Rochet has accumulated nearly 200 professional appearances and earned 27 caps for Uruguay. His 2025/26 season has been disrupted by injury, but his 66.7% save percentage in Série A demonstrates that he remains a capable goalkeeper.
The Present Tense
Sergio Rochet is 33 years old and at a critical crossroads. He is a goalkeeper for Internacional in Brazil and a member of the Uruguay national team, but his club future is uncertain after a series of injuries and the arrival of new competition.
The Internacional Story:
Rochet joined Internacional in 2023 and became a key figure. He won the Campeonato Gaucho in 2025. However, the 2026 season has been difficult. He has missed significant time with injuries, including a back problem that required surgery in August 2026. His contract expires in December 2026, with an automatic renewal clause based on appearances that he may not activate. The club has signed Matheus Cunha, a two-time Copa Libertadores winner, adding significant competition for his position.
The World Cup Campaign:
Rochet was named in Uruguay’s World Cup squad and was expected to be the starter. He played 44 minutes against Spain, coming on as a substitute in the second half. Uruguay were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Rochet has earned 27 caps for Uruguay since his debut in 2022. He has been a regular under Marcelo Bielsa, featuring in World Cup qualifying, the 2024 Copa América, and the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Sergio Rochet is a respected leader. At Internacional, he is “one of the most active voices in the dressing room.” He maintained the backing of coach Paulo Pezzolano during a difficult period, with the coach saying: “Rochet has the personality to reverse this. They are games, particular moments. It’s about moving forward.”
Rochet’s contract includes a clause that triggers an automatic renewal if he reaches 60% of appearances. As of mid-2026, he had played 17 of 29 matches, putting the clause in doubt.
He has been linked with a move to Boca Juniors, who are interested in signing him as a free agent at the end of his contract.
The Verdict from the Camp
Paulo Pezzolano, Internacional head coach:
“I know they want to focus on Rochet’s mistake, some individual player’s mistake, but we won. Rochet has the personality to reverse this. They are games, particular moments. It’s about moving forward.”
Boca Juniors:
Rochet has been identified as a target, with the club believing his contract situation could make a move affordable.
Statistic:
Rochet has 27 caps for Uruguay and played 44 minutes at the 2026 World Cup.
Statistic:
Rochet has made 17 appearances for Internacional in 2026, conceding 19 goals and keeping 5 clean sheets.
Statistic:
Rochet underwent back surgery in August 2026 and is currently recovering.
Where Next?
Sergio Rochet is 33 years old and facing a crossroads. His contract with Internacional expires in December 2026, and he is currently recovering from back surgery. The club has signed Matheus Cunha, creating significant competition for his position. A move to Boca Juniors has been mooted, and a return to Uruguay or a move elsewhere in South America are also possibilities.
For Uruguay, Rochet remains a key squad player. His 27 caps and experience at two World Cups make him a valuable presence. However, his future as first-choice goalkeeper is uncertain given his injuries and the emergence of younger options.
From Nueva Palmira to the World Cup, Sergio Rochet’s journey is one of resilience, leadership, and the challenges of professional sport. The goalkeeper who became a hero at Nacional and Uruguay now faces the toughest test of his career.
