Somali Magazine -The FIFA World Cup thrills, which will start on Nov. 20 in Qatar, will likely mark some big-name players’ last appearances in the most recent iteration of the greatest international football event.
Since their rivalry was a focal point of European football for many years, many football fans will be especially moved by the announcement of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s final appearances.
Among the seasoned stars who are anticipated to take the World Cup stage for the final time in their careers are Neymar, Luka Modric, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, and Manuel Neuer.
The 22nd FIFA World Cup, the premier international competition, will take place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, 2022.
Luis Messi
Lionel Andres Messi, who is widely regarded as the greatest player in football history, is already a legend with a long list of exceptional accomplishments.
The 35-year-old holds the record for the most Ballon D’or (Golden Ball) victories with seven (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021). He also won four UEFA Champions Leagues while playing for Barcelona (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015).
With 164 appearances for the Argentina National Football Team, Messi holds the record for both most appearances and goals scored in the history of the country (94).
The Argentine confirmed in an interview that Qatar 2022 will be his final appearance and the World Cup’s top event. His team lost the 2018 World Cup final to Germany 1-0.
Last year, he and his teammates won the Copa America.
In 1978 and 1986, Argentina won the FIFA World Cup, the biggest international trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, a legend in Portugal, has won more than 30 championships.
The 37-year-old has won five Ballon d’Or awards (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) and five UEFA Champions League championships (2008, Real Madrid, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018).
With 191 career appearances, Ronaldo ranks third all-time in terms of caps. He also leads all international goal scorers with 117.
Despite his team winning the EURO 2016 championship, Portugal has not yet advanced to the World Cup finals.
Luka Modric
The oldest player on the current Croatian roster and seasoned midfielder Luka Modric, 37, is also the captain.
Some consider the five-time Champions League champion (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022) to be one of the greatest midfielders in football history.
Croatia’s most-capped player is the Real Madrid player, who won the Ballon D’or award in 2018. with 154 outings.
In their best-ever performance, Croatia finished as runners-up in the 2018 World Cup, falling to France 2-4 in the championship match.
Robert,Lewandowski
The most successful Polish player in history is Robert Lewandowski.
Aside from his 10 Bundesliga championships, which he won eight times between 2015 and 2022 with Bayern and twice in 2011 and 2012 with Borussia Dortmund, the Barcelona striker has only won one UEFA Champions League trophy, with Bayern Munich, in 2020.
With 134 appearances and 76 goals, the 34-year-old is Poland’s most experienced player.
In the World Cups of 1974 and 1982, the Poland national football team won two bronze medals.
Suarez, Luis
One of the most well-known figures in Uruguayan football history is Luis Suarez.
The 35-year-old forward, who has 134 caps for Uruguay, is also the country’s all-time leading scorer with 68 goals.
With Barcelona, he won the UEFA Champions League in 2015, and Uruguay won the Copa America in 2011.
Suarez will compete in his fourth World Cup, and Uruguay, which won the inaugural competition in 1930 and 1950, will be vying for their third championship.
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer, who is regarded as one of the most successful goalkeepers in history, is known for his self-assurance and “sweeper-keeper” playstyle, which involves frequently leaving the goalkeeper box to anticipate opponents.
The 36-year-old won 10 straight Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich from 2013 to 2022, as well as two UEFA Champions League championships in 2013 and 2020.
With 113 appearances, Neuer ranks among the top 10 most capped German footballers.
He is one of the select few athletes to have won a World Cup, having done so in 2014 when he defeated Messi’s Argentina 1-0 in the championship match.