FIFA WC 2022: 5 Players including Messi & Ronaldo who will play their last WC

The countdown for the upcoming FIFA World Cup has already started as teams and players are gearing up for the showpiece event in Qatar. 

The marquee event will come as a last-gasp opportunity for the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the World Cup as they start their quest in November. Joining Messi and Ronaldo, the likes of Thomas Muller and Hugo Lloris are expected to bid farewell to the international stage, so here is a list of five players who hang their boots after the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

The Argentine now international, now 35, is considered one of the greatest players of all time, but still awaits the World Cup prize. In the first week of October 2022, Messi confirmed that he will be playing his final World Cup in Qatar and will back his ability to go all the way. Runners-up in 2014, Messi will play his fifth World Cup in November and has scored six times in the showpiece event.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

On the other side of the same Lionel Messi coin, Cristiano Ronaldo will have his reputation at stake as he will turn up for his final World Cup with Portugal. Ronaldo turns 38 in February and it is almost certain to say that he will be playing his final World Cup. 

However, if he does manage to get over the line and lift the trophy in Doha in December, Ronaldo will arguably become the greatest player of all time as he already has continental success with Portugal having won the Euro 2016 and Nations League in 2019. He already has everything in his trophy cabinet at the club level and the World Cup is the only piece missing in the puzzle.

Luka Modric (Croatia)

Another greatest player of his generation, Luka Modric widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation leading comparisons to the likes of Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner and runners-up in the 2018 World Cup, Modric turned 37 in September and it is already anticipated that the Croatia skipper will be hanging his boots after the World Cup in Qatar. While Croatia are not the favorites to win the World Cup, Modric has already cemented his legacy as the greatest player of his generation.

Thomas Muller (Germany)

The 2014 World Cup winner, Thomas Muller is now 33 and will probably play in his last FIFA World Cup when he takes the field in Qatar. Muller also won the 2010 Golden boot for scoring the most goals at the World Cup while Germany were eliminated by eventual winners Spain in the semifinals. Muller has already won all the major accolades in his career both at the club and international levels. However, Muller is now on the wrong side of the aging scale and will likely hang his boots at the end of the World Cup

Hugo Lloris (France)

The French captain is also 35 and will surely play in the World Cup for one final time when he leads the French National team. Lloris has lifted the World Cup and Nations League with France and another title to his name will see him become of the most successful captains ever to claim the prize. Lloris has so far produced a superb showing on the international stage and the time might be right for him to hang his boots and focus on his club career with Tottenham Hotspur.