Players Who May Be Playing In Their Last FIFA World Cup

The 2022 FIFA World Cup promises some drama, fireworks, goals, and upsets. What’s more important, is the players looking to fight for their respective nations. Some of them will want to leave a mark in what might be their last tournament. The biggest question remains, can either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi finally win the World Cup trophy? If that can happen then a ” GOAT ” debate will be finally put to bed. It looks like both superstars will play their last edition in Qatar so they will want to leave a mark. Let’s look at the players who might be playing their last World Cup.

Manuel Neuer

Neuer is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the sport. Since making his debut for Germany in 2009, Neuer has been the country’s no 1 goal. With 114 caps for his country, the Bayern Munich captain has been a core to the side’s success over the years including winning the World Cup in 2014. At 36, he will play in his final World Cup before hanging up his gloves. The four times World Champions has a strong team, but it is unclear how far they will advance this time. Neuer will undoubtedly be important to their outcome in the competition. 

Cristiano Ronaldo

One of the greatest players in football history will appear on the World showpiece for the last time in Qatar. Since making his World Cup debut in 2006, Ronaldo has gone on to make 17 appearances scoring seven goals in the process. The best result Ronaldo managed to achieve is when they reached the semi-finals in 2006 in Germany. Despite achieving it all in his decorated career, the World Cup is something that is missing from his trophy cabinet. This might be a perfect time for the Manchester United star to bow out with pride. His side has a lot of talent to edge closer to winning the trophy but it won’t be easy. 

Lionel Messi

Messi is widely regarded as one of the best players in football history. Going into this World Cup in scorching form, Messi has 11 goals plus 14 assists in all competitions for Paris Saint-German this season. Now at the age of 35, Messi will want to leave Qatar with the medal that isn’t in his cabinet. He came agonisingly close to lifting this elusive trophy when his side lost 1-0 to Germany in 2014 in Brazil. It’s not certain if he is going to appear in the next edition so the PSG talisman will want to give it his all on the field to win his first World Cup. 

Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski has only appeared once in the World Cup finals during the 2018 edition. He failed to impress not scoring even a single goal as his country, Poland crashed out of the Group stages. Nonetheless, Poland’s goal machine has the most goals for his country with 76 in 134 appearances, including nine in the qualifiers. At 34, Lewandowski is expected to carry his nation and take them far in the tournament. This is going to be his last world showpiece and will fight to leave good remarks. Can Lewandowski reign supreme? 

Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez is going for the fourth World Cup finals now and appears to be his last one. Since making his debut for Uruguay in 2007, Suarez has gone on to score 68 goals which make him the country’s all-time leading goalscorer. In the last three World Cups, he has managed to score in all of them. He is most likely to be remembered for being sent off for a handball on the line that denied Ghana a place in the 2010 World Cup semi-final and then biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 tournament.

Sergio Busquets

Busquets is the only player left from Spain’s golden generation. Over the years, he has been one of the best-holding midfielders in the world. Now at 34, the legs are starting to fail him, and looks like will call an end to his international career after the tournament. Nevertheless, he will hang his boots with a World Cup trophy and two European Championship trophies. Can he make the last time count? 

Luka Modric

Luka Modric first appeared on the World Cup finals stage in 2006. He played two matches both coming as a substitute in the group stage against Japan and Australia. Since Slaven Bilic took over as the head coach replacing Zlatko Kranjcar after Croatia’s disastrous World Cup in 2006 failing to reach the knockout stages, Modric became regular to the national side. In the 2018 edition, he played a crucial role to guide his side to the final where they lost to France. Despite being on the losing side, he was awarded a Golden ball award for his strong performances throughout the tournament. Can he guide his nation to the promised land in what looks like his last dance on the grand stage? Only time will tell.

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