Some of our favorite footballers who have been entertaining us for years will be retiring after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It’s bittersweet to see them go, but we’re grateful for all the memories they’ve given us. These are the 15 football players who will play their last world cup in 2022, take a look at the 15 players who will retire after the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Olivier Giroud, Luka Modric, Thiago Silva, Pepe, Daniel Alves, Sergio Ramos, Giorgio Chiellini, Gianluigi Buffon, Guillermo Ochoa are among the top 15 players who are expected to retire after 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place in Qatar and it is expected to be the last World Cup for some of the world’s greatest players to play in the tournament. Players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Ramos are all in their 30s and will be approaching the end of their careers by the time the 2022 World Cup rolls around. While it’s possible that some of these players could continue their careers into their 40s, it’s more likely that the 2022 World Cup will be the last time we see them on the biggest stage of international football. Take a look at the top 15 players who could retire after the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Top 15 football players who will retire after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
1. Lionel Messi Argentina, 35 y/o
Lionel Messi has played in 4 World Cups so far, and the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup gonna be his 5th world cup on the big stage. The 35 y/o Lionel Messi has confirmed that he gonna take retirement after the 2022 FIFA world cup. Lionel Messi is one of the greatest footballers ever and he has won everything with Barcelona. With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar might be his last hurrah on the big stage, Lionel Messi will surely be looking to go all out and give it his all to try and lead Argentina to glory one last time.
Messi has never won a FIFA World Cup since making his senior debut in 2005, despite being one of the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or. In 2014, when Argentina reached the World Cup final, he came so close to taking home the trophy, but the 2021 Copa América remains his first major international title. Lionel Messi is known for his dribbling and free kick abilities, and he is regarded as one of the most difficult players to stop. As of November 13, 2022, he has appeared in 136 games for Argentina, scoring 106 goals.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal, 37 y/o
Cristiano Ronaldo has played in every FIFA World Cup tournament since 2006. He made his senior debut at the age of 18 and will play in his fifth World Cup in November 2022 in Qatar. The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar will most likely be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final chance to win the World Cup title. Cristiano Ronaldo, 37 y/o, appears to be in good shape, but he may retire from the world cup. He is the current captain of the Portuguese national team and the team’s most-capped player. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the world record for international goals, scoring 117 for Portugal since his debut in 2003.
3. Robert Lewandowski Poland, 34 y/o
The 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski is famous for being one of the top strikers in the world. He holds the record for most goals scored with 76 in 134 appearances and is now serving as the captain of the Poland national team. He may retire after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With some of the top teams in the world, including Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and currently Barcelona, he has had a remarkable career. Lewandowski has yet to score a goal in the World Cup. Poland was eliminated from the group stage in his first World Cup appearance in Russia in 2018.
4. Luis Suarez Uruguay, 35 y/o
The 35 y/o, Luis Suarez will play in the fifth FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Qatar in 2022. Luis Suarez is a world-renowned striker who has represented some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs, including Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Ajax. With 68 goals, he is Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer. He is also CONMEBOL’s all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Suarez is 35 years old, and while he has not officially announced his retirement, it is generally suspected that he will hang up his boots after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
5. Olivier Giroud France, 36 y/o
Even though he was a part of the defending champions, France’s provisional team for the World Cup in Qatar included one of the top strikers in the world, 36-year-old Olivier Giroud. He has played in two World Cups and netted 49 goals for France since making his senior debut. The 36-year-old Olivier Giroud is confident that he won’t stop playing for France until the nation’s youth force him to. Everyone continues to speculate that he might retire following the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
6. Sergio Ramos Spain, 36 y/o
Sergio Ramos won one FIFA World Cup with Spain in 2010 while representing Spain at four other World Cups. Sad to see that Sergio Ramos, a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, was not selected by Spain coach Luis Enrique for the 26-man team traveling to Qatar, and hence will not be competing in the World Cup. Due to his current string of injuries and poor play, Sergio Ramos “may be forced to RETIRE” and the 2018 FIFA World Cup could be his final major tournament.
7. Manuel Neuer Germany, 36 y/o
As he does every in the FIFA world cup, German first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, at the age of 36, will be a strong contender for the Golden Glove award as he enters his fourth World Cup. He has already received the award at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and he intends to continue winning it. Retirement after the 2022 World Cup is anything but inconceivable, according to Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who has also said he is not considering retirement. Also, Manuel Neuer has stated that he will retire from football if Bayern Munich and Germany “no longer feel that he is needed.”
8. Luka Modric Croatia, 37 y/o
He has discussed his potential retirement from international competition as he gears up to captain the Croatian team once again at the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, according to Real Madrid player Luka Modric, will be his final international competition for Croatia.
Although he still has a few matches left to play for Croatia, he believes his time with the nation will come to an end at the Qatar World Cup in 2022. He can’t continue to play; because he is already 37. In 154 games for Croatia, Modric has scored 23 goals. The 37-year-old midfielder helped his small country reach the final in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and he even took home the Golden Ball award for being the best player in Russia.
9. Guillermo Ochoa Mexico, 37 y/o
Guillermo Ochoa, who will be 37 years old after the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has already played in four World Cups, is prepared to retire from the Mexico National Team. In 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 World Cups, Ochoa managed the national team to the round of 16. The 2014 World Cup hero for Mexico hasn’t yet made a formal announcement about his decision to hang up his soccer boots. However, according to rumors, Guillermo Ochoa will step down following the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
10. Thiago Silva Brazil, 38 y/o
Thiago Silva, the captain of Brazil’s National team, has gone through a legendary stretch during which he may represent his country in the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the last time. He won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics and a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics. He later led Brazil to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup victory and finished fourth at the 2014 FIFA World Cup while playing as captain. Thiago Silva earned a spot in Brazil’s 2022 World Cup roster due to his outstanding achievements this season for Chelsea. The 38-year-old will play in his fourth World Cup, competing in Group G in Qatar against Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon.
11. Giorgio Chiellini Italy, 38 y/o
Giorgio Chiellini, an Italian defender, retired from international football before the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Italy will not be playing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup after losing to North Macedonia in a playoff game. This is the second consecutive World Cup that Italy has failed to qualify for. Players such as Federico Chiesa, Marco Verratti, and Giorgio Chiellini will not have the opportunity to compete in Qatar. Giorgio Chiellini, Italy’s co-fourth most-capped player, with 117 has announced his retirement from international football in 2022. Following Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, he played his final match at Wembley against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
12. Pepe Portugal, 39 y/o
Pepe has 128 caps and 7 goals since making his debut in 2007. He has represented Portugal in three FIFA World Cups. Pepe, who is presently playing for FC Porto and is one of the best center-backs in the world, will undoubtedly be remembered in history as a famous defender. Portugal’s legend Pepe, who is now 39 years old, has earned the trust of Portugal’s head coach along with Cristiano Ronaldo to feature in his fourth World Cup. Pepe will retire from the Portugal International duties after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
13. Dani Alves Brazil, 39 y/o
Dani Alves is a Brazilian superstar and the most decorated player in football history. He won 47 titles in total and 46 senior-level titles. Dani Alves, at the age of 39 will play for Brazil at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making him the oldest Brazilian player to play in the World Cup. In his third World Cup appearance in Qatar, Brazilian legend Dani Alves hopes to win the tournament in order to leave a long-lasting legacy before retiring after the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
14. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Sweden, 41 y/o
It may be difficult to accept, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the best striker in history with 34 titles to his name, will retire following the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 2022 World Cup, which would have been Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s third World Cup of his career, was not an option for the 41-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who represented Sweden at the FIFA World Cups in 2002 and 2006. Zlatan Ibrahimovic would have been competing in his third FIFA World Cup if Sweden hadn’t fallen to Poland in a playoff.
15. Gianluigi Buffon Italy, 44 y/o
Gianluigi Buffon, an Italian goalkeeper, and captain who is now 44 years old played in five FIFA World Cups, winning one of them in 2006. One of the best goalkeepers of all time, Buffon will not compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup after his team failed to qualify. Gianluigi Buffon, who represented Italy in international football from 1996 until his retirement in 2018, will no longer be a player in the squad.
Thoughts and conclusion on Messi and Ronaldo’s retirement from football
Messi and Ronaldo, the two legends of the game have given us some of the most memorable moments in football. From their stunning goals to their amazing dribbling skills, we have seen it all. But now, the time has come for them to hang up their boots and retire from the game. We have seen many great players come and go, but Messi and Ronaldo are different.
They are the two best players of the current generation and have set the benchmark so high for the next generation of players. They have inspired a new generation of football fans and have shown us what is possible if you work hard and never give up. We will never forget the moments they have given us and we wish them all the best in their retirement. Thank you, Messi and Ronaldo, for everything.
Read also: Who has won most world cups?
