World Cup 2022-the last performance of many talented players

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

As Lionel Messi, the World Cup title is a dream that Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portugal team have not come true.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest goalscorer in the history of men's football. The 37-year-old player has scored 117 goals in 189 appearances.

Although having a decline in form because of his age, Ronaldo is still an incredible marksman and appeared in the 'PFA Team of the Year' list.

Ronaldo will be 41 years old in World Cup 2026 and it will be difficult to see he continues to devote for Portugal. So, the World Cup 2022 will be his last performance at international team level. He and Lionel Messi, who created a bright football era, will have fiery competition and a promising tournament.

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Winning the World Cup title with the Argentina team is always Messi’s dream. He had an opportunity when his team reached the final but received a painful defeat against the German team in the World Cup 2014.

"This will be my last World Cup—for sure. The decision has been made. I am counting down the days to the World Cup. There is a bit of anxiety and nerves at the same time" – Lionel Messi. The player, born in 1987, will also retire from the Argentina national team to focus on the rest of his career with the team he joined.

The player of PSG has still had a good performance at the age of 35, but his decision to leave the national football team is a necessary choice due to the burden of age. This is also the inspiration for Messi to try his best for the final World Cup he participates in. The World Cup title will be a meaningful gift for Argentina fans, as well as a sweet memory for the end of Messi's career with the national team. 

3. Manuel Neuer (Germany)

The first time he appeared in the World Cup was in 2010 where he had a good performance. He has excellent reflecting ability, and his playing style has cachet of German players. His career is also a wonderful journey after winning the World Cup 2014 title and placing 3rd in the World Cup 2010 with the German football team.

At the moment, he still shows performances that seem to not depend on his age(35). He is still the trusted goalkeeper of the German team. Along with the direction of Hans-Dieter "Hansi" Flick and a young squad, Neuer with the German team will be a bright candidate for the World Cup 2022 title.

4. Neymar (Brazil)

The "erratic" Brazilian will continue to carry the weight of his nation's expectations on the grandest stage in Qatar 2022. A nation expects whenever Neymar pulls on the shirt and he will be desperate to lead Selecao to their first world title. Although Neymar had not good performance in the match of PSG and is always the center of criticism, he is still an important member of the Brazil squad and the icon of the playing style that brings the beauty of Samba dance.

However, Neymar’s announcement of retirement from the Brazilian national football team is something that the fans are very surprised. This player is 29 years old, and he absolutely can play in the World Cup in 2026, but he decides not to do it.

The absence of Neymar in the World Cup 2026 will be a regrettable thing for fans and Brazil.

5. Luka Modric (Croatia)

Although Croatia is not an outstanding and highly rated football team, they do not lack great players. One of them is Luka Modric.

The midfielder is an excellent player in Croatian football history. He was one of the best players at the 2018 FIFA World Cup when he led the Croatian team to the final, where they fell to France. His performance at this tournament helped Modric won the 2018 Ballon d'Or.

The playing style of Luka Modric is a smooth combination of both classic and modern football. At the age of 36, the player still had a great performance when winning both the La Liga title and the Champions League with Real Madird and is an irreplaceable factor in the Croatian team.

However, the 2022 FIFA World Cup will likely be Modric's last. He will be 40 years old by the time the 2026 World Cup arrives, and the Croatia international will likely retire by then.