As we head towards the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it’s worth looking back at those players who will be playing their last tournament on the way to Qatar. Although many stars are still playing, their final World Cup could be the last time they feature at this level of football. Here are our top 5:
1. Lionel Messi – 35 Years Old
Lionel Messi has been playing for Argentina since 2004, and he’s one of the best players in the world. He won the Golden Ball award in 2014, given to the best player at World Cup tournaments. He also won the Golden Boot award (for most goals scored) that same year.
He has been awarded 100 international caps by Argentina, making him their fourth most capped player. He has scored 55 goals for his country and is their all-time highest goalscorer.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been playing for Argentina since 2005, but it will be 2022 before he finishes his last World Cup.
Messi wants to retire after the 2022 World Cup, so this will likely be his last chance to win it with Argentina. He is 35 years old and has a creative crop of talents around him.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 37 Years Old
Despite being one of the greatest players to grace the game, Ronaldo is 37 years old heading into the 2022 World Cup.
Ronaldo is Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and has won four Ballon d’Or awards, the most for a European player. He also helped the national team win Euro 2016 with three goals in five matches in France. You cannot underestimate his influence on this side, as he has scored 117 goals from 191 appearances in international tournaments since 2006.
The forward has won four Ballon d’Or awards and is considered one of the best players to play. He has scored over 500 goals for club and country and is looking to make a run at 600 before he retires.
3. Olivier Giroud – 35 Years Old
Olivier Giroud will be playing his last World Cup in Qatar in 2022. The French striker is 35 years old, and he’s been playing for his country since 2010. He was part of the France team that won the World Cup in 2018.
Giroud is on a mission to beat Thierry Henry’s all-time French top-scorer record of 51 goals with 49 goals already bagged. Given the young crop of talents around him, his experience remains a major key in France’s hopes of retaining the World Cup.
4. Thiago Silva – 38 Years Old
Thiago Silva is one of the best central defenders in the world, and he’s currently playing his last World Cup.
He was named captain of the Brazilian national team in 2014, and he captained the team to a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and a bronze medal in 2008.
He scored four goals in Brazil’s run to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup title, including a second-place finish at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Silva has made over 100 appearances for his country, including 70 starts.
5. Luka Modric – 37 Years Old
The Croatian midfielder may be playing in his last World Cup in Qatar. At 37 years old, Modric could be one of the older players on the field.
Modric has been a member of the Croatian national team since 2006 and has appeared in three World Cups. In 2018, he led his team to their first-ever World Cup final and was named the tournament’s best player for his efforts.
Modric has played for Real Madrid since 2012, winning five Champions League titles with the Spanish powerhouse. He has also been named UEFA’s best midfielder thrice (2014, 2016, 2017).
