15 Of The Biggest Players Who Might’ve Played Their Last World Cup Ever

With all its upsets and surprises, FIFA World Cup 2018 was possibly the most entertaining edition in the tournament’s history. So Qatar has one heck of a task in 2022 and the absence of big names is definitely not going to help.

Here is the list of biggest names who might not be participating in the next World Cup.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

33-year-old Portuguese prodigy started this year’s World Cup campaign with a stunning hat-trick, but this might just be the last time we witnessed such excellence on the biggest sporting platform. Even if Portugal qualifies for Qatar WC, it is highly unlikely that Ronaldo will be playing for the side.

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi’s dream of lifting the prestigious trophy is most likely going to remain unfulfilled as the chances of the legend’s participation in Qatar WC are almost zero. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to win a tournament with Argentina, he might be calling it quits. Permanently this time.

3. Luka Modric (Croatia)

The golden ball winner of this edition and possibly the best midfielder on the planet right now might not be playing in the next World Cup.

Modric himself has represented his country in 2006 and 2014 editions before this one but couldn’t help them qualify for the knock-out stages. By leading his team to the final this year, he might want to end his WC campaign on a high.

4. Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Suarez and his infamous biting incident of 2014 World Cup is one of the most controversial events in the history of the tournament. But we might not be seeing his antics and excellence in the next World Cup as he’ll be 35 by that time and it seems unlikely that he will still enjoy the same kind of attention and importance.

5. Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)

Cavani was a vital cog in the Uruguayan machine in Russia and scored both the goals in their 2-1 win against Portugal that threw the latter out of the tournament. The 31-year-old Uruguayan might not play the next edition of the tournament to make way for younger blood.

6. Mario Mandzukic (Croatia)

World Cup 2018 had been full of ups and downs for Mandzukic who hit the winning goal for Croatia in the semifinal against England and then scored a goal against his own side in the final that they lost 4-2 to France.

That might not be the perfect end to the tournament for the talented forward and participation in 2022 looks unlikely for now.

7. Thiago Silva (Brazil)

The former captain of the Brazilian side is one of the best defenders and the most experienced players of his side.

He captained the side in the 2014 edition of the tournament where they lost 7-1 in the semfinals to the eventual winners Germany. He’ll be 37 years old by the time Qatar WC is played and he might not participate in the tournament.

8. Andres Iniesta (Spain)

The Spanish legend who got the team its first World Cup title with his extra-time goal in 2010 final, is one of the best players Spain has produced.

He is 34, though, and the World Cup in Qatar might be unfortunate to not witness his magic.

9. Mesut Ozil (Germany)

He got great amount of attention at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where at the age of 22, he played an important part in the Germany’s campaign where they reached the semifinals, losing to eventual champions Spain.

2014 was different, though. In 2014 they won.

Bowing out of the tournament pretty early in 2018 got him a hell lot of criticism. So much that his father reportedly asked him to retire from international football. While that hasn’t happened till now, it might in the near future.

10. Sergio Ramos (Spain)

The Roja captain won the 2010 edition with Spain and was later named for the FIFA WC Dream Team. He also became the nation’s youngest player ever to reach 100 caps. However, he’ll be 36 in 2022, and might not take part in the Qatar WC to give chance to younger players.

11. Pepe (Portugal)

Pepe was the ‘Man of the Match’ in the Euro 2016 final against France and scored 1 goal in four matches in the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Most likely this was the last time we saw him performing on this big a platform as he is 35 as I write this article and he will most likely retire before 2022.

12. Gonzalo Higuaín (Argentina)

The 30-year-old forward has been a full international for Argentina since 2009. He was part of the Argentine side that got second-place finishes at the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa América and the Copa América Centenario in 2016.

Representing the side in 2022, though, might not be possible given his age.

13. Mario Gomez (Germany)

With 0 goals in 3 matches in this WC and 33 years of age, the German striker might not find a place in the squad in 2022. That is, if he doesn’t take retirement before that and the Germans qualify for the tournament.

14. Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Another German in the list and an important one. Goalkeeper and captain for the German side, Neuer might not participate in the next tournament and his absence is definitely going to hurt the side.

15. Vincent Kompany (Belgium)

In 5 matches that he played in 2018 WC, Kompany scored no goal. Even though that doesn’t take away from the fact that he is an excellent player, it begs for some introspection. He will be 36 years old in 2022 and the selectors of the national side might think of nurturing younger talent by then.