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Lionel Messi y Cristiano Ronaldo© GettyImages

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and the end of a football era

The most famous football stars will be playing their last world cup


Senior Writer
NOVEMBER 1, 2022 2:41 PM EDT

The Fifa World Cup begins this November 20th, in Qatar. While the date is a celebration for many, it also represents the end of a golden era of football, and the start of a new phase.

This world cup, the international careers of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will conclude, phasing out of the international spotlight that they’ve occupied over the past 15 years.

The 2022 World Cup also represents the end of the international careers of various other football stars, among them, Luka Modric, Thiago Silva, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Sergio Busquets, Andres Guardado, Keylor Navas, Robet Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, Jordi Alba, Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, Eden Hazard, and many more.

There will be a significant generational shift in this world cup. The athletes we mentioned above have lived through a special era, one where football became a global sensation thanks to the influence of technology. Football fans were able to witness almost every second of their favorite athlete’s career.

It’s also important to note the important role that medicine and science played for this generation, a contributing factor for many of these players‘ lengthy careers. It explains why players like Modric, 36, and Vidal, 34, had some of the best performances in high pressure tournaments like the Champions League.

Qatar is the last stop for many of them. Here are some of the names that have defined an era, and that usher in a rebirth:

Cristiano y Messi© GettyImages

Ronaldo and Messi

It’s possible that the last 15 years in football will be looked at through the lens of Ronaldo and Messi. Without a doubt, they’ve put themselves at the forefront of every league and match. Messi will play his fifth world cup at the age of 35 while Ronaldo will play the same amount of cups at 37.

Di Maria© GettyImages

Angel Di María

With 34 years old, Di Maria has recovered from an injury just in time to accompany Messi on the World Cup.

Luis Suarez© GettyImages

Luis Suárez

Suárez is 35 and will retire internationally following Qatar 2022.

Andres Guardado© GettyImages

Andres Guardado

The captain of the Mexican team is 36 and is one of he team’s pillars. Qatar marks his fifth world cup.

Busquets© GettyImages

Sergio Busquets

Busquets is an absolute legend in Spain and was a world cup winner in the year 2010. Qatar marks his last world cup at the age of 34.

Manuel Neuer© GettyImages

Manuel Neuer

Neuer has been away from the pitch for the past three weeks due to a shoulder injury. He is 36 years old.

Kaylor Navas© GettyImages

Kaylor Navas

Keylor Navas is 35 years old and is an important part of Costa Rica’s golden generation of football.

Luka Modric© GettyImages

Luka Modric

Modric is 37 years old and remains in extraordinary physical condition. Qatar is his last world cup.

Karim Benzama© GettyImages

Karim Benzama

Karim Benzema, 34, recently won a Ballon D’or and will be back at the World Cup after skipping out in the year 2018. Qatar marks his last world cup.

Thiago Silva© GettyImages

Thiago Silva

Silva is 38 and has been a fixture of Brazil for years.

Robert Lewandoski© GettyImages

Robert Lewandoski

The 34 year old Polish forward will try his hardest to get his team out of the first stage on Qatar.

Gareth Bale© GettyImages

Gareth Bale

It took 64 years for Wales to participate in the world cup. Bale, a former Real Madrid player, may retire at the age of 34.