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:
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.
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 Suárez
Suárez is 35 and will retire internationally following Qatar 2022.
Andres Guardado
The captain of the Mexican team is 36 and is one of he team’s pillars. Qatar marks his fifth world cup.
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
Neuer has been away from the pitch for the past three weeks due to a shoulder injury. He is 36 years old.
Kaylor Navas
Keylor Navas is 35 years old and is an important part of Costa Rica’s golden generation of football.
Luka Modric
Modric is 37 years old and remains in extraordinary physical condition. Qatar is his last world cup.
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
Silva is 38 and has been a fixture of Brazil for years.
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
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.
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