Football’s Greatest Generation Faces Its Final World Cup

Icons preparing for one last bow

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo — together the defining rivalry of a generation — will each make a record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance. Messi arrives as the defending champion with Argentina, while Ronaldo targets the one major trophy still missing from his remarkable collection. Joining them are Luka Modrić, set to captain Croatia one final time after recovering from a fractured cheekbone, and Manuel Neuer, who reversed his international retirement to anchor Germany’s goalmouth for a fifth consecutive World Cup. Bosnia’s all-time leading scorer Edin Džeko and Mexico’s legendary goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are also widely expected to retire after the tournament concludes.

Stars still chasing World Cup glory

For others, 2026 represents an unfinished quest. Neymar Jr. has been named in Brazil’s squad despite a calf injury, with the campaign widely seen as his international farewell. Mohamed Salah carries Egypt’s hopes as the Pharaohs’ captain, while James Rodríguez — the 2014 Golden Boot winner — returns to football’s biggest stage after Colombia missed out on Qatar. Virgil van Dijk, Casemiro, Nicolás Otamendi and Son Heung-min complete a remarkable generation that, between them, has won Ballons d’Or, continental trophies and