The upcoming FIFA World Cup already promises to be an engaging spectacle for a number of reasons, with new narratives forming around the tournament every day.
As always, one of these narratives centres on Lionel Messi. The Argentina forward recently confirmed that this year’s tournament will be his last. While this is hardly a major shock, given that Messi will be 39 when the 2026 World Cup takes place, the confirmation that this will be our last chance to see the PSG forward on the international stage adds a new layer of intrigue to Argentina’s campaign.
With that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at some of the other elder statesmen of the game for whom this will be the last World Cup of their careers.
An ever-present figure in the England set-up throughout the Gareth Southgate era, Liverpool captain Henderson is currently doing everything he can to recover from injury in time to be on the plane to Qatar.
It’s likely to be the midfielder’s final tournament for the Three Lions, with age and fitness issues beginning to catch up with Henderson after years spent playing in a high-intensity Liverpool side. Southgate adores him and will continue to include him in his squad to the bitter end, but surely a changing of the guard will have to come soon.
It’s baffling to think that Robert Lewandowski has only played in one World Cup before this one. The Barcelona striker failed to score a single goal in Poland’s disappointing 2018 campaign as they went out at the group stage in Russia.
At the ripe old age of 34, Lewandowski will be hoping he can go out on a high note and deliver the goods in what will likely be his final opportunity to shine at this level.
Despite missing France’s last round of international fixtures with a thigh injury, all signs point to Hugo Lloris leading Les Bleus out in Qatar in November.
The Spurs goalkeeper captained his country to glory in 2018 and will be keen to replicate the feat this time around, as at 35 he is almost certainly running out of time.
Omitted from France’s squads for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, Benzema may look back at his international career as a missed opportunity.
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