8 players who will play in their final World Cup in Qatar - including Messi and Ronaldo
dailystar.co.ukWorld Cup finals give budding young stars the chance to make a name for themselves on the global stage - but just as many play at the highest level for one last time.
From Argentina icon Lionel Messi to Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, Qatar 2022 looks set to play host to swansongs for some of the greatest to ever play the game.
With three Ballon d'Or winners and two current Premier League stars making our list, Daily Star Sport have picked out eight names who will be missed the most when the tournament swings around again in 2026.Messi, who is considered to be the best footballer in history, has twice hinted at retirement from Argentina duty but the upcoming World Cup looks likely to be his last one.Messi will turn 35 before the tournament gets underway in November, and could call time on his international career after more than 160 appearances and 80 goals for his country - having managed six goals and five assists from 19 World Cup outings.One criticism of the PSG forward has been his failure to win the global showpiece having reached the final back in 2014, but recent Copa America glory puts them in a good place in 2022.Ronaldo has managed seven goals and two assists from his 17 outings at the World Cup, but hasn't pushed his team past the round of 16 stage following their 2006 semi-final defeat.
The Manchester United man has scored 115 goals from 186 international outings, and will be desperate to add to his European Championship victory in 2016 with a World Cup winners medal.
Read more on dailystar.co.uk
