Leo Messi and three others for whom Qatar could be final World Cup

The FIFA World Cup in Qatar is expected to be a grand spectacle with so many exciting match-ups already in place.

The world’s very best footballers will take the field for the chance to lift the illustrious gold trophy and carve a place for themselves in football history.

But, for some, this World Cup could very well be their last. Indeed, some well-known footballers could be playing their final World Cup in Qatar. More than anything else, it’s because they are reaching the final stages of their career and are near retirement from the sport.

Let’s have a look at the four biggest stars who could play their final World Cup in Qatar 2022.

Lionel Messi to hoist trophy in his final World Cup?

For Lionel Messi, Qatar 2022 could absolutely be “The Last Dance” in terms of major international competitions. The 34-year-old is not getting any younger and must realize this is his final opportunity to win the big gold at the international stage.

Messi has taken part in four World Cups for Argentina so far. The furthest he went was in 2014, in which despite winning the MVP award, he saw his side falter in the final. This time, Argentina are one of the favorites to win in Qatar after winning the Copa America last year.

A lot is riding on this one for the PSG star. His entire nation’s hopes, as well as those of his worldwide fans, fall on his shoulders.

Messi might not have had that good of a season with PSG, but is still going strong for Argentina (he scored 4 goals and got 5 assists in the Copa America win). As long as his teammates support him, Messi should make his final World Cup one to remember.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s last dance

When speaking about Messi’s quest to earn the “GOAT” tag, Cristiano Ronaldo is never far behind. Just like his rival, Ronaldo is also likely to play for the final time in a World Cup. He had to fight hard to ensure Portugal booked a place in Qatar, helping his side win via a qualifying playoff in March.

Ronaldo has won a continental tournament (Euro 2016), but like Messi, he has yet to taste World Cup glory. The 37-year-old is still going strong despite his age, having scored 24 goals so far this season for a relatively poor Manchester United side.

Ronaldo will captain the Portugal side, looking to lead from the front in the World Cup. They’ve been placed in a competitive group alongside Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea, so Cristiano will have to bring his best.

If he’s able to awaken the goal machine in him and come up clutch in the major knockout games, Ronaldo could make his dream of winning the “Big Gold” a reality in Qatar.

Can Benzema finally achieve World Cup success?

If Karim Benzema truly aspires to earn the reputation for being one of the best strikers of all time, he needs to win a major international trophy. After missing the last edition, won by France, Benzema will get a chance to lift the gold this time around.

Playing for the defending champions, Benzema will play a big role in their campaign. He will lead the line and has to replicate his domestic form at the international level to take them deep into the competition.

Benzema has scored 44 goals this season and will look to continue his fine form in Qatar. What is most important is that this will likely be his final World Cup as well. He’s had disappointing World Cup campaigns before, France getting knocked out in the group stages in the 2010 edition and in the quarterfinals in 2014.

With this being the last opportunity for him to win the big international tournament, Benzema will play with empowered vigor to bring joy to his home country.

Luka Modric looks to make final World Cup a memorable one

Luka Modric experienced heartbreak at the end of the 2018 World Cup, falling to France despite pulling off an incredible underdog story with Croatia. Indeed, the midfielder played a big role in inspiring Croatia to get to the final against all odds.

Modric received the Player of the Tournament award for his heroics, but had to settle for a silver medal. This time, he aims to replicate that, but with a different outcome in the final. The 36-year-old will also play his final World Cup and probably his last big international competition in Qatar.

The midfield maestro is still going strong, as proven by his brilliant work in Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign this season. He’ll look to harness the last of his brilliance to inspire Croatia to pull off another heroic story and make his final World Cup a memorable one.