World Cup 2026: Messi, Ronaldo, Salah and Neymar can play for the last time
This article ranks the top 10 players who are likely to be playing in their final World Cup, including Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar, highlighting their achievements and potential final performances.
Entering the knockout stages of the World Cup 2026, here is my list of top 10 players who are possibly playing in their final World Cup. Let me know if you agree with this list.
-
Lionel Messi, Argentina - Best Performance: Winner (2022)It shows how great of a player Messi is that he did not retire from international football after winning the World Cup in 2022. Now 39 years old, Messi is breaking records in this tournament. No player in World Cup history has scored more goals than Messi's 19 goals, plus eight assists. He has scored in seven consecutive World Cup matches. In 2014, he won the Golden Ball for the best player despite losing the final against Germany. This is his sixth game at the World Cup with no other outfield players apart from his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo. His next match will be his 30th for Argentina at the World Cup.
-
Luka Modric, Croatia - Best performance: Runner-up (2018)On Saturday, Modric became the oldest player to provide an assist in a World Cup at the age of 40 years and 291 days. "He plays like a 20-year-old. He's amazing. He's our leader and best player," said his co-player Petar Suchic. Croatia's performances in the last two World Cups have made his legacy clear. In 2018, Croatia surprised everyone by reaching the final.
-
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal - Best performance: Semi-finals (2006)
The World Cup is still Ronaldo's one major trophy that he has not received. 41-year-old Ronaldo has the most international caps (231) and goals (145). This is their sixth World Cup appearance, but they have never been there so far apart from reaching the last four in 2006. -
Manuel Noyer, Germany - Best Performance: Winner (2014)Neuer can be judged on his performances in recent weeks, but it is important to understand why Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann asked him to come out of international retirement. Neuer, 40, won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 and this is his fifth World Cup.
-
Neymar, Brazil - Best performance: Semifinal (2014)
Neymar's performance in the World Cup 2014 on Brazil's home soil is memorable. At 34, he is still dreaming of winning the World Cup for his country.
-
Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium - Best performance: Semi-final (2018)
De Bruyne is part of Belgium's golden generation. This is his fourth World Cup and he has made four assists in 16 matches. -
Virgil Van Dijk, Netherlands - Best performance: Quarter-finals (2022)Van Dijk has represented the Netherlands in the World Cup only eight times so far.
-
Mohamed Salah, Egypt - Best performance: Last 32 (2026)
Salah played a key role in taking his team to the World Cup last 32. -
Sun Heung-min, South Korea - Best performance: Last 16 (2022)
Sun has played in four World Cups but this time his performance was ordinary. -
Sadio Mane, Senegal - Best performance: Last 16 (2022)
Mane scored his first World Cup goal in 2018.
This list of top 10 players is based on players who are probably playing in their final World Cup, and their achievements in these games will always be remembered.
Related Articles
- World Cup 2026: Didier Deschamps corrects his name through Kylian Mbappe2. Netherlands 1-1 (2-3 penalties) Moriko - World Cup 2026 - 30 June 2026