Top 15 footballers that will retire following the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup

 

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in Qatar, and many of the greatest athletes in the world are anticipated to play in their final World Cup. By the time the 2022 World Cup comes around, stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Ramos will all be in their 30s and close to the end of their careers. While it's possible that some of these players could continue to play professionally into their 40s, it's more likely that the 2022 World Cup will mark their final appearance on soccer's grandest stage. Look up at the top

15 players who might call it quits following the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

1. Lionel Messi, 35, of Argentina

Lionel Messi has participated in four World Cups to date, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be his fifth major tournament. Lionel Messi, 35, has stated that he will retire following the 2022 FIFA World Cup. One of the best players to ever play the game, Lionel Messi has won everything with Barcelona. Lionel Messi will undoubtedly want to give it his best and try to lead Argentina to victory one last time at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which may be his final opportunity to perform on a major platform.

Messi has never received a despite being among the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or, since making his senior debut in 2005. He was so close to winning the World Cup in 2014 as Argentina advanced to the final, but the 2021 Copa América remains his only significant international triumph. Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the hardest players to stop because of his skill with the ball in his hands and his ability to score from free kicks. He had made 136 appearances and 106 goals for Argentina as of November 13, 2022.

2. Portugal's 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo

Since 2006, Cristiano Ronaldo has participated in every FIFA World Cup competition. At the age of 18, he made his senior debut. He will participate in his fifth World Cup in Qatar in November 2022. Cristiano Ronaldo will probably have one more chance to win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Although the 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo seems to be in terrific health, he may decide to leave the World Cup. He is the most experienced player on the Portuguese national team and serves as its current captain. With 117 goals for Portugal since his debut in 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most goals scored in a single tournament.

3. Robert Lewandowski Poland, 34 y/o

Robert Lewandowski, 34, is renowned for being among the best attackers in the world. With 76 goals in 134 games, he holds the record for most goals scored. He is currently the captain of the Poland national team.. After the FIFA World Cup 2022, he might call it quits. He has had a great career, playing for some of the best clubs in the world, including Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and recently Barcelona. In the World Cup, Lewandowski has failed to score a goal. Poland's first World Cup debut in Russia in 2018 saw them exit the group stage.

4. 35-year-old Uruguayan Luis Suarez

The fifth FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Qatar in 2022, will feature 35-year-old Luis Suarez as a player. World-famous striker Luis Suarez has played for some of Europe's most elite teams, including Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Ajax. He is Uruguay's all-time leading scorer with 68 goals. He also holds the record for most goals scored in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying matches. Suarez is 35 years old, and while though he hasn't formally stated it, it is widely believed that he will hang up his boots following the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

5. Olivier Giroud France, 36 y/o

One of the best attackers in the world, Olivier Giroud, 36, was a part of France's preliminary roster for the World Cup in Qatar even though they were the defending champions. Since making his senior debut, he has appeared in two World Cups and scored 49 goals for France. Olivier Giroud, 36, is convinced that he would continue to represent France until the country's youth force him to. Everyone is speculating that he would hang up his boots after the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

6. Sergio Ramos Spain, 36 y/o

In addition to playing for Spain in four other World Cups, Sergio Ramos won one FIFA World Cup with Spain in 2010. It is disappointing to discover that Sergio Ramos, a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, was not chosen by Spain coach Luis Enrique for the 26-man roster leaving for Qatar and will therefore not be taking part in the World Cup. Sergio Ramos "may be forced to RETIRE" as a result of his recent spate of injuries and subpar performance, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup may be his last significant competition.

7. Manuel Neuer Germany, 36 y/o

German first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 36, will be a strong Golden Glove award contender when he competes in his fourth World Cup, like he does in every FIFA World Cup. He already won the prize at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and he wants to keep doing so. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Germany and Bayern Munich believes retiring after the 2022 World Cup is not out of the question. Neuer has also stated he is not considering retiring. Additionally, if Bayern Munich and Germany "no longer feel that he is needed," Manuel Neuer has said that he will stop playing football.

8. Luka Modric Croatia, 37 y/o

As he prepares to lead the Croatian team once more at the FIFA World Cup in 2022, he has spoken about his likely retirement from international play. Luka Modric, a player for Real Madrid, stated that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be his final international match for Croatia.

Although he still has a few matches remaining to play for Croatia, he feels his tenure with the nation will come to an end at the Qatar World Cup in 2022. He is already 37 years old, thus he cannot play any longer. Modric has 23 goals in 154 games for Croatia. The 37-year-old midfielder earned the Golden Ball trophy for his efforts in helping his little nation advance to the World Cup final in 2018.

9. Guillermo Ochoa Mexico, 37 y/o

After the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Guillermo Ochoa, who will be 37 years old and has participated in four World Cups, is prepared to leave the Mexico National Team. In the World Cups in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018, Ochoa led the squad to the round of 16. The Mexico World Cup hero from 2014 hasn't formally announced that he would hang up his soccer cleats yet. Rumor has said that Guillermo Ochoa will leave his position after the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

10. Thiago Silva Brazil, 38 y/o

Thiago Silva, the captain of Brazil's national team, has had a legendary run in which he might be playing in his last FIFA World Cup in 2022. At the Olympics in 2008 and 2012, he took home bronze and silver medals, respectively. Later, under his captaincy, Brazil won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and came in fourth at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Thiago Silva's outstanding performances for Chelsea this season helped him earn a position on the Brazil team for the 2022 World Cup. The 38-year-old will compete in his fourth World Cup, taking on Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon in Group G in Qatar.

11. Giorgio Chiellini Italy, 38 y/o

Before the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini announced his retirement from international competition. Italy lost to North Macedonia in a playoff match, and as a result, they won't be participating in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Italy has missed qualifying for the World Cup for the last two years. Giorgio Chiellini, Marco Verratti, and Federico Chiesa won't be able to participate in the competition in Qatar. With 117 caps, Giorgio Chiellini is tied for fourth among Italian players in terms of retirement from international competition. He competed in his final game at Wembley against Lionel Messi's Argentina after Italy was unable to get to the 2022 World Cup.

12. Pepe Portugal, 39 y/o

Since his first appearance in 2007, Pepe has 128 caps and 7 goals. He competed in three FIFA World Cups as Portugal's representative. Undoubtedly, Pepe, one of the top center-backs in the world who is currently playing for FC Porto, will go down in history as a renowned defender. The legendary Pepe of Portugal, who is now 39 years old, has earned the confidence of Cristiano Ronaldo to play in his fourth World Cup. Pepe will stop representing Portugal internationally following the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

13. Dani Alves Brazil, 39 y/o

Dani Alves is a Brazilian superstar and the most decorated player in football history. 46 senior-level titles were among his 47 total victories. The oldest Brazilian player to compete in the World Cup is Dani Alves, who will represent Brazil at the 2022 FIFA tournament. Brazilian legend Dani Alves is competing in his third World Cup in Qatar, and he wants to leave a lasting legacy before calling it a career after the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

14. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Sweden, 41 y/o

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the greatest striker in history with 34 victories to his credit, will retire after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which may be difficult to comprehend. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 41, who represented Sweden in the FIFA World Cups in 2002 and 2006, decided against playing in the 2022 World Cup, which would have been his third World Cup of his career. In the event that Sweden had not lost to Poland in a playoff, Zlatan Ibrahimovic would have been taking part in his third FIFA World Cup.

15. Gianluigi Buffon Italy, 44 y/o

Italian goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon, currently 44 years old, participated in five FIFA World Cups, taking home a trophy in 2006. Buffon, one of the all-time great goalkeepers, won't be taking part in the 2022 FIFA World Cup because his team didn't make it. The team will no longer include Gianluigi Buffon, who played for Italy in international football from 1996 until his retirement in 2018.

Observations and a verdict on Messi and Ronaldo's football retirement

The two football legends, Messi and Ronaldo, have contributed to some of the game's most enduring moments. We have witnessed everything, from their spectacular goals to their incredible dribbling skills. But right now, it's time for them to put away their cleats and stop playing. Although many great players have come and gone, Messi and Ronaldo stand out.

They are the top two players of this generation, and they've raised the bar for the players coming after them. They have motivated a new generation of football supporters and demonstrated what is feasible with perseverance and hard effort. We are grateful for the moments they shared with us and wish them well as they enter retirement. Messi and Ronaldo, I appreciate everything.