Football Stars Who Play Their Last World Cup In Qatar

Manuel Neuer (Instagram @manuelneuer)

JAKARTA The 2022 Qatar World Cup will begin on 20 November. This will be the final stage for seven legends in football history.

The quadrennial tournament was first played in winter, just in the middle of the league competition season. In addition, this is also the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East.

However, the importance of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar does not end there. The reason is, this year's edition will mark the end of the era for many top footballers who are entering retirement age.

Here are seven legends who hosted Qatar's last World Cup:

The captain of the German national team and Bayern Munich has always started for his club and country since starting his career in the senior team. Neuer, 36, will captain Germany in Qatar this year, but he may not be appearing for the next World Cup in 2026.

Neuer has played 16 games at the World Cup so far. He conceded 11 goals, scored seven clean sheets, and became part of Germany's squad to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Thomas Muller will turn near 37 (13 September) at the next World Cup in 2026. This means that the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar could be his final stage.

Muller was one of Germany's best players in the 2014 World Cup campaign. He scored five goals and claimed three assists during the tournament, including the trigol against Portugal at the opening of the competition.

Suarez is one of the best center-forwards of the century. However, the former Barcelona player will turn 39 at the next 2026 World Cup which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Suarez, who was suspended for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, has an impressive World Cup record. In 13 appearances so far, he has scored seven goals and claimed four assists.

The Real Madrid forward was exiled from the French squad for six years between 2015 and 2021 with a controversy surrounding Mathieu Valbuena. Prior to that, he played five World Cup games, scored three goals, and provided two assists.

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner will be over 37 years old at the next World Cup. So, it is unlikely that he will be called again considering that France has an abundant talented squad.

This veteran midfielder has been the backbone of the Croatian national team since making his debut in 2006. The 37-year-old is still at the top of his game, but it's impossible to see him go to the 2026 World Cup.

The Real Madrid superstar has made three World Cups so far, played 12 games, scored two goals and provided one assist. He was Croatia's best player during their historic journey to the 2018 World Cup final against France.

The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar will turn 39 at the next edition of the World Cup 2026 so it is almost impossible to see him enter the Argentina squad. La Pulga will try to win the most prestigious trophy in his fifth venture in Qatar.

Messi came close to lifting the 2014 World Cup trophy in Brazil. At that time Argentina successfully reached the final, but lost against Germany in the final. He was selected as the best player at the time thanks to his outstanding performance (four goals and one assist).

Portugal captain will appear in the fifth and perhaps his last FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The legendary striker, who is the top scorer in international men's football with 117 goals in 191 games, will be 41 at the next World Cup.

Ronaldo has so far taken part in 17 World Cup games. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner netted a total of seven goals, but all of them were created in the group stage.