In Photos | Messi, Ronaldo and other big names who could retire after 2026 FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the biggest superstars of the modern era and among the greatest in the history of football, and are expected to call time on their international careers for defending champions Argentina and Portugal respectivelym even if they continue playing club football.

FP Sports Desk|2 min read

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Lionel Messi had fulfilled his lifelong dream of helping Argentina win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar four years earlier, and the legendary forward will be hoping to sign off with back-to-back titles against his name later this summer. Reuters

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Cristiano Ronaldo has already confirmed that he will be making his final appearance at the FIFA World Cup this year, and will be hoping to emulate arch-rival Messi in lifting football’s most coveted prize before signing off. Reuters

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Neymar Jr is considering retiring from professional football by the end of the year and could call time on his international career right after the conclusion of the World Cup, especially if he helps Brazil end a 24-year wait for a sixth world title. Reuters

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Real Madrid legend Luka Modric isn’t just planning to make his final appearance for Croatia at the upcoming World Cup, he will likely bring the curtain down on his illustrious professional career, according to recent reports. Reuters

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Virgil van Dijk remains an integral part of Liverpool’s defence but has been dropping hints about bringing his international career to an end at the World Cup, where he will be hoping to deliver three-time runners-up Netherlands their maiden world title. Reuters

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Mohamed Salah had bid an emotional goodbye to Liverpool at Anfield recently and will likely be bidding his international career goodbye at the World Cup by making one final appearance for Egypt. Reuters

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Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has come out of retirement to represent Germany one last time at the World Cup, and will be hoping to help ‘Die Mannschaft’ bounce back after first-round exits in the last two editions. Reuters

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Like Neuer, legendary Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez too had called time on his career in 2024 but has come out of retirement in order to represent his nation at the biggest football event one last time, hoping to end a 76-year wait for a third world title. Reuters

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South Korean football icon Son Heung Min has already indicated that the upcoming World Cup could be his ‘last’, and thus will be hoping to take his team further than ever before at the prestigious tournament. Reuters

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Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, one of just four active players who had participated in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, has already confirmed his decision to retire from international football at the end of the tournament, and thus will be hoping to sign off in style in front of home fans. Reuters

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