The 2022 World Cup (November 20-December 18) will be an opportunity for many players to play their very last World Cup, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or even Luka Modric. Overview.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
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At 37, Cristiano Ronaldo is playing his last World Cup with Portugal. And after winning the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 Nations League, “CR7” dreams of a world title with his country to finish in style and confirm his status as a football legend. Top scorer in the selection (117 goals in 191 matches for Portugal), he has never played in a World Cup final. Which would allow him to clean up his very complicated season with Manchester United.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
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At 35, Lionel Messi also wants to make history forever by winning a World Cup with Argentina. Not far away in 2014 (defeat in the final against Germany), meanwhile, “La Pulga” has managed to win the Copa América 2021, his first title with the Albiceleste. This is his last chance to become world champion. In four years he may still be playing for a club. And even…
Luka Modric (Croatia)
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At 37, Luka Modric often looks 20. Real Madrid’s midfielder, runner-up to the 2018 World Cup, is still as impressive on the pitch. The Ballon d’Or 2018, which will honor its 155th selection against Morocco for its participation in the competition, would see itself take Croatia to the top. Or at least as far as possible.
Karim Benzema (France)
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Returning to the national team for Euro 2021, after five years in “purgatory” following the famous Mathieu Valbuena sextape affair, Karim Benzema (34), recently Ballon d’Or 2022, intends to make up for lost time. Present in 2014, he therefore missed out on the title in 2018. Winner of the 2021 Nations League, he could see himself winning a new star to complete a golden year for him. For what will also be his last WC a priori.
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
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Manuel Neuer, 36, has been Germany’s No. 1 goalkeeper since 2009. An impressive longevity for the man who is rightly considered one of the best goalkeepers in football history. 2014 world champion, then eliminated in the group stage in 2018, the Bayern Munich player wants to lift the trophy again before retiring internationally.
Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
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At the age of 35, Luis Suarez, who has just won the title of Uruguayan champion with his training club Nacional, is ready to shine in his last competition with Celeste. Joined by Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez in attack, “El Pistolero”, 66 goals in 133 games, hopes to shine in Qatar.
Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
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Another striker wants to shine with his choice: Robert Lewandowski. At 34, the now FC Barcelona goalscorer will be on a mission to get his country past the group stages of a World Cup for the first time since Mexico 1986. Often qualified in competitions in recent years, Poland have too often disappointed.