Ronaldo, Modric & the stars who may have played their last World Cup
The World Cup often marks a watershed in players' careers, and a few of the game's biggest names may choose to stand down now Russia 2018 is over
- Gabriel Rossi
Table of Contents
Toggle1Sergio Aguero | Argentina
The Manchester City star will be 34 when the next World Cup arrives, and has suffered mixed fortunes in international football compared to his brilliant club record.
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2Lionel Messi | Argentina
Messi's fourth World Cup campaign ended once more in disappointment, as his Argentina team were muscled out at the last-16 stage by France in a thrilling 4-3 defeat. The Barca star will be 35 when Qatar comes around and with such upheaval in the Argentina set-up, it is by no means certain that he will commit himself to four more years of gruelling transatlantic travel to represent his nation.
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3Marcelo | Brazil
Marcelo saw his long-time Brazil team-mate Dani Alves ruled out of contention prior to Russia 2018 with an injury that means the great right-back's World Cup career came to an end. While the Madrid star is slightly younger than Alves, he will still be 34 in 2022.
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4Luka Modric | Croatia
Modric was a rock for Croatia all the way through their amazing World Cup adventure. But the playmaker is another for whom Qatar 2022 will see a long way away right now. The Real Madrid man will be 37 by the time the ball gets rolling in four years' time.
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