New Delhi: FIFA World Cup 2022 is set to begin in Qatar on November 20, and as fans enjoy the thrill of the sport, there might be some emotional moments too. Big names including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi might be playing their last World Cup this year, which might make their fans emotional. Age and form sometimes become enemies in the sport, with a lot of running and fitness required on the field, some players have to say goodbye.
There are players who have made a huge name with their performances in the leagues and the World Cups and this might be the time for the fans to bid them farewell from FIFA WC. Here is a list of 5 football stars who are likely to play their last World Cup in Qatar:
1. Lionel Messi
?? @Argentina have arrived!#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/CtYTSe7RXk
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 17, 2022
With seven Ballon d’Or titles, one FIFA World Cup Golden Ball and having played the World Cup finals in 2014, Lionel Messi is a legend. This might be the last World Cup outing for the 35-year-old player and his fans will want him to lift the cup in the Argentinian colours. In the 2022-23 season, Messi is back in form having scored 12 goals in 19 appearances for PSG.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
As the commentator says: “Genius. Absolute genius.” ?
2 years ago today, with 2 goals already, 2 minutes to go and his team 3-2 down to Spain, @Cristiano did this ?#OnThisDay | #WorldCup | @selecaoportugal pic.twitter.com/12XoN2e23I
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) June 15, 2020
With 117 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo is the top goal-scorer in the international arena and his list of achievements including five Ballon d’Or titles can go on and on. He has scored seven goals in his 17 World Cup outings in four editions. Ronaldo also became the oldest player to score a World Cup hattrick in 2018 and will look to do well for Portugal this year. Having spent a lot of time on the bench of Manchester United and scoring just three goals in 16 appearances, he is not having a good season. Ronaldo will look out to do better for his national side as this might be his last World Cup.
3. Robert Lewandowski
2021/22 Golden Shoe winner, Robert Lewandowski!
??? pic.twitter.com/Dj9ZMmAW0U— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 9, 2022
It is right to say that the World Cup has not been Lewandowski’s arena with no goals and just one appearance in the tournament. However, he has scored 76 international goals and more than 300 goals for his clubs and who can forget his five goals in nine minutes for Bayern Munich? Being the uncrowned legend of the game, his fans will definitely want Lewandowski to have a great tournament in Qatar. The 34-year-old has scored 13 goals in 14 outings for Barcelona this season.
4. Neymar Jr.
The footwork here is something else ? pic.twitter.com/Pc8vwe1hMY
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 13, 2022
The 30-year-old Brazilian star has age by his side but he hinted that this might be his last World Cup. He said that he cannot guarantee to play another World Cup and will play it like his last. With an injury in the quarter-finals in 2014 and a loss against Belgium in 2018, Neymar has not been able to lift the cup for Brazil. This season he has scored 13 goals in 19 matches and his fans would be praying for him to not get injured during the tournament.
5. Manuel Neuer
????
The sweeper-keeper hero of Germany’s 2014 #WorldCup triumph turns 3⃣4⃣ today ?
Happy birthday, Manuel Neuer! ?#HBD | @Manuel_Neuer | @DFB_Team_EN pic.twitter.com/jgizpL5O4k
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 27, 2020
Manuel Neuer was the hero of Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory and was also named the goalkeeper of the tournament. Neuer has turned 36 and he might be looking to win another cup which could prove to be his last one. This season he has four clean sheets in 12 appearances in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich and three out of three in the Champions League.
