The whole world is waiting for the 22nd edition of the Football World Cup to take place on the field. The greatest football event will be held in Qatar from mid-November this year. The official draw of 32 teams has already been completed. Qatar is at the center of interest for football fans for multiple reasons. Because, after this World Cup, many senior players will announce their retirement from the national team. You probably can not see them in the jersey of their favorite team. They might make their retirement announcement immediately after the World Cup due to their advanced age.
All the star footballers in the current football world are on the list who can retire after the World Cup in Qatar. Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentine star Lionel Messi, Brazilian star Neymar Jr. and Thiago Silva, Polish star Robert Lewandowski, Croatian star Luka Modrić, French forward Karim Benzema, and Uruguayan star Luis Suárez.
Lionel Messi
The Argentine star is one of the greatest football players of all time in football. He has played four World Cups in the country’s jersey. Although he has yet to conquer the title of the World Cup, he won his first title for Albiceleste in the last edition of Copa America. In addition, he led the team to the 2014 World Cup final, but due to Germany’s last-second goal, he had to back home without a world cup title.
Lionel Messi made his debut in the jersey of Argentina in 2005. Since then he has played 81 matches so far. Where this legendary football magician has scored 160 goals. He is the only player who has won a maximum of seven times the Ballon d’Or. Now his age is about 35 years. He will be 39 when the next World Cup comes after the Qatar World Cup. So it is thought that the World Cup in Qatar may be Messi’s last World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best footballers in history. He already holds the record for most goals scored in both club and international football. He also became the champion of Europe for the country. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is now 37 years old. Although he was seen on the field in the Qatar World Cup, it is more likely that he will retire after Qatar World Cup. Because then the age will be 41. Running on the football field by maintaining fitness at this age is almost difficult.
Robert Lewandowski
The 33 years old Polish forward dominates the German league for Bayern Munich. When the next edition of the FIFA World Cup comes, his age will be 37 years. Then even if he plays professional football, he may not play in the national team. He has not yet won the Ballon d’Or. However, this season he has a possibility to win this most prestigious football title. He made his debut in 2014 in Poland Jersey. His total goal amount is 129 by wearing a Poland jersey in 65 matches.
Gerard Pique
The current age of this Spanish footballer is now 35 years. He will be seen in the Spanish jersey at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar but is more likely to miss the next World Cup at the age of 39. He has won the Euro title as well as the World Cup for Spain. But he is not regular in the Spanish squad right now. We expect him in the Qatar World Cup squad because of his experience. He is in charge of keeping the defense safe at all times but still, he scores 5 goals.
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez is one of the best footballers in modern football. He started his national football career in 2006 in Uruguay Jersey. Since then he has played 68 matches in the country’s jersey. He has scored 132 goals in 68 matches. He has already played in three World Cups so far in his international career. The upcoming World Cup in Qatar will be his fourth World Cup. He has experience in playing football in top-rank clubs such as Ajax, Liverpool, and Barcelona. He is playing football for Spanish professional football club Atlético de Madrid.
This Uruguayan forward is now 35 years old. He will be 39 when the next World Cup comes. At that age, he has less possibility to see himself in the Uruguayan jersey. His national teammate Edinson Cavani is the same age. However, he may not be as famous as Suarez, but one of the best Uruguayan footballers. It is most probable that he will not be in Uruguay’s jersey after the Qatar World Cup.
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer is one of the goalkeepers of the German football team. He is also known to the fans as Sweeper-Keeper. The German fans have completely relied on German goalposts since 2009. The goalkeeper has played 109 matches for Germany so far. He is in charge of the goal post of the German club Bayern Munich in his club career. He is currently the number one goalkeeper in the world of football. The current best goalkeeper in the world is 36 years old. He will be 40 in the next World Cup after the Qatar World Cup. So Manuel Neuer will retire after Qatar World Cup and it is more likely to see a new goalkeeper under the German goal post after this World Cup.