DBasia.news – From November to December 2022, the 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar. The French national team, the defending champions, is still one of the teams that will still be involved from the 32 teams that will participate.
Unfortunately, as in the previous edition (World Cup 2018), there is no Italian national team that has won the second most World Cup titles after Brazil. For the second time in a row Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup.
No doubt in this edition, a number of star players whose names are famous in Europe did not participate, such as Marco Verratti and Mohamed Salah. Besides, the 2022 World Cup could be the last for some players.
BolaSkor.com has compiled information regarding players who have the potential to retire after the 2022 World Cup. Who are they?
1. Gareth Bale – 33 years old
As of this news, Gareth Bale has 106 caps and 40 goals for the Wales national team. Bale is currently 33 years old and plays for the MLS (Major League Soccer) club, Los Angeles (LAFC).
There are not many star players of outstanding quality in Wales. Bale will lead Wales to become the dark horse of the tournament, he has the quality and experience after playing for a some time at Real Madrid.
2. Lionel Messi – 35 years old
At the age of 35 then in the next World Cup, in 2026, Lionel Messi will be 39 years old. It is very likely that La Pulga will retire after the 2022 World Cup. His career and success are unquestionable.
Messi left Barcelona as a legend and is now turning over a new leaf with PSG. The seven Ballon d’Or winners have never won a World Cup with Argentina, who are in Group C with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.
3. Karim Benzema – 34 years old
The French striker is 34 years old and so far has 97 caps and 37 goals. When France won the 2018 World Cup, Karim Benzema was still absent due to his scandal with Mathieu Valbuena. But Didier Deschamps had forgotten and called him.
Real Madrid legend, a unique striker in Europe. Benzema is not only a dangerous goalscorer, but also an opener for his teammates. This ability will be useful for the French national team.
4. Thomas Muller – 32 Years
Thomas Muller has defended the German national team since 2010 and won the 2014 World Cup. Throughout his career Muller also only defended Bayern Munich. After Miroslav Klose retired, Muller has always been a mainstay on the German front lines.
The winner of 116 caps and 44 goals with Germany is now 32 years old. In four years he will be 36 years old. Muller little chance to play again in the next World Cup. Muller’s experience will serve as an example for young German players.
5. Robert Lewandowski – 34 Years
Although Poland is often only an ‘entertainer’ at the World Cup or European Cup, they have Europe’s top striker in Robert Lewandowski. The forward who has just started a new chapter with Barcelona, after making history with Bayern Munich, is 34 years old.
Lewandowski has so far packed 132 caps and scored 76 goals with Poland. For the last time, at the 2022 World Cup, Lewandowski will again lead the front line of the team nicknamed The White and Red.
6. Luka Modric – 36 Years
At the age of 36, Luka Modric is still a mainstay in the midfield for Real Madrid and the Croatian national team. However, both Madrid and Croatia should start preparing to play without the former Tottenham Hotspur man.
Modric has everything he needs to set an example for young players in his position: quality, experience and mentality. In 2018 Modric led Croatia to the final – despite losing to France. The 2022 World Cup could be the last for the 152 caps.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 37 years old
The Portuguese superstar is 37 years old and it will be challening to see him at the next World Cup at 41. Like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo has never won the World Cup, but has won the European Cup.
Ronaldo has been successful in his career at Manchester United (period one), Real Madrid and Juventus, and has five Ballon d’Ors. The 2022 World Cup will be the end of his journey at the World Cup and Ronaldo will give it his all .
In addition to the seven names above, other names potentially retiring after the 2022 World Cup are Angel Di Maria (34 years old), Sergio Busquets (34 years old), Eden Hazard (31 years old), Thiago Silva (37 years old), and Luis Suarez ( 35 years old).