The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in less than a week. All the teams have landed in the Arabic country and started their preparation. The teams are getting acclimatised to the hot and humid conditions of Qatar.
Well, as the team prepares for the Winter World Cup, there are some players who might be playing their final World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi being the most obvious ones. This might be their last chance to get their hands on the coveted FIFA World Cup. So, they will be leaving no stone unturned to win the big prize.
In this article, we’ll look at those players who will be playing their final FIFA World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portugal superstar will be making his 5th consecutive appearance at the most prestigious tournament in the world. Pooled in Group H alongside Uruguay, South Korea, and Ghana, Portugal will hope to give their star man a befitting send-off at the grand stage, and it does not get better than aiming for the ultimate prize.
The Manchester United striker has won every possible trophy there is to win. Only the World Cup trophy is missing from his cabinet. If he manages to go till the end, then it will establish him as one of the G.O.A.T.s.
Lionel Messi
The Argentine superstar will also be making his final appearance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. One of the world’s finest players, Lionel Messi, hopes for World Cup glory this time. Following his admission that he will retire from international football after the World Cup, several Argentine teammates, including Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, swore, “to go to war for Messi to win the World Cup”.
Under the able leadership of Lionel Messi, Argentina are on a hot streak with 24 victories and 11 draws across friendly matches, World Cup 2022 qualifying and, of course, the 2021 Copa América, a trophy they lifted for the 15th time. With such form, things are all set for Lionel Messi to put an end to his World Cup trophy drought.
Neymar Jr.
The Brazilian superstar will be making his final appearance at the World Cup. Neymar is second on Brazil’s all-time top goalscorers list with 74 goals in 119 appearances.
“I think it (2022) will be my last World Cup,” Neymar said. “I am facing it like the last World Cup because I don’t know whether I will be able to, mentally, endure more soccer”, he said in the documentary Neymar & The Line Of Kings, produced by DAZN.
“I will do everything possible to get there very well. I will do all I can to win it with my country and realize my dream, the biggest since my boyhood.”
Luis Suarez
Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer will be plying his trade for the last time. The 35-year-old is set to play his fourth World Cup. The superstar will be trying to recreate his magic on the field, like in the 2010 World Cup, where he led his team to fourth place.
Robert Lewandowski
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have overshadowed the Poland superstar. The Barcelona main man has quietly kept scoring goals in his club career. At the international level, the former Bayern Munich striker has amassed 76 goals in 134 appearances for Poland but is yet to score at the World Cup.
Edinson Cavani
Uruguay’s most prolific goal scorer, Edinson Cavani, will also be playing his final World Cup. Cavani made his debut in 2008 against Columbia and since then has appeared in 133 games and scored 58 goals.
The striker has appeared in 14 matches and scored five goals in the World Cup.
Luka Modrić
The Real Madrid legend who plies his trade for Croatia will be making his final appearance on the biggest stage. The 37-year-old seems to be getting better with age. The creative midfielder, who led his team to the finals of the 2018 World Cup, will be looking to go all the way and win the trophy for his nation.
Manuel Neuer
The Bayern Munich legend is one of the best goalkeepers the game has ever witnessed. The 36-year-old will be playing his fourth World Cup. He has stood like a rock between the opposing teams and the goalpost.
Thomas Müller
One of the most prolific goal scorers in Germany’s squad, Thomas Müller, will be appearing in his fourth World Cup. The Bayern Munich striker has scored 10 goals in 16 games. Considering this will probably be his final World Cup, he will leave no stone unturned to get his hands on the prestigious trophy.
Other notable mentions: Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, Sergio Busquets, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Eden Hazard, Jordi Alba, Hugo Lloris, Angel Di Maria, and Pepe, among many others.
These were a few footballers who will be making their final appearance at the FIFA World Cup. Let us know which footballer will be missed the most in their national colours.
