Only 3 days are left until the opening of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, marking the beginning of a brand new football extravaganza. This World Cup will be the farewell stage for many veteran players, with several legendary stars set to complete their last dance. To highlight this, we introduce the “World Cup Countdown” special feature, focusing on nine iconic players who are ready to bid farewell to the World Cup stage and witness the final chapters of their legends. The nine selected stars are: Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Modric, De Bruyne, Neuer, Ochoa, Salah, and Van Dijk.
👑 Messi: Six World Cups Across Eras, Continuing the Legendary Final Chapter
During this World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, Messi will celebrate his 39th birthday. From his first World Cup appearance in 2006 to his return in 2026, Messi's World Cup journey spans a remarkable 20 years, having competed in six tournaments throughout his career and etching a unique legendary record in football.
In the past five World Cups, Messi has played 26 matches, securing his place as the all-time appearance leader in World Cup history, netting 13 goals and providing 8 assists. Notably, he contributed 7 goals and 5 assists during the knockout stages, achieving one World Cup championship and one runner-up finish, loaded with honors. It is also worth mentioning that this World Cup will mark Messi's 200th appearance for the national team, as he has currently played 198 matches for Argentina, scoring 116 goals. After 20 years, the legend is still alive, and as Messi embarks on his final World Cup, fans are eagerly anticipating whether he can create yet another surprise.
🐐 Ronaldo: Six World Cups, Seeking to Break the Knockout Stage Curse
At 41 years old, Ronaldo is set to embark on his sixth World Cup journey, exemplifying the enduring spirit of age in football. Looking back at the last five World Cups, Ronaldo has made 22 appearances, scoring 8 goals and providing 2 assists, yet has never found the net during the knockout stages, a lingering regret that haunts his World Cup career.
Ronaldo's World Cup journey is filled with classic moments etched in football history, with the 2018 match between Portugal and Spain being a personal highlight. In that match, as Portugal fell behind three times, Ronaldo stepped up each time to equalize, ultimately leading his team to a 3-3 draw, showcasing unparalleled individual heroism and becoming a timeless classic in World Cup lore. Now, as he approaches his final World Cup in 2026, the goal of winning the championship seems distant, while breaking the curse of not scoring in the knockout stage has become Ronaldo's most realistic pursuit.
🇧🇷 Neymar: Coming Back from Injury, Fighting to Achieve a Dream Farewell
At 34, Neymar has successfully made the Brazil squad for this World Cup, which comes as both a pleasant surprise and a logical decision. Back in October 2023, Neymar suffered a devastating knee injury that tore his cruciate ligament, and after a year of recovery, he has gradually returned to play, although not at his prime condition. Since then, he has not been called up to the Brazilian national team for almost three years, distancing himself from international competition.
As the World Cup approaches, numerous voices in Brazil have called for Neymar to be given a chance to fight in this final chapter, which the coach, Ancelotti, has heeded by including him in the squad. After enduring injuries and career lows, Neymar has gained the support and trust of the footballing world. In this World Cup, he will strive to repay all support and expectations with outstanding performances, completing his last journey in the World Cup with fulfillment.
🇭🇷 Modric: The Low-Key Master of Football Bows Out, The Final Chapter of the Golden Generation
Born in 1985, Modric is one of the oldest players in this World Cup. In today's football landscape, there are very few midfield maestros like Modric—calm, technically superb, low-key, and highly influential. For many years, he has been the undisputed core of the Croatian national team, shouldering the midfield responsibilities and guiding the team to many remarkable achievements.
This World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico is likely to be Modric's farewell performance, as he is expected to retire after this competition, marking the end of his brilliant football career. The time for Modric’s green pitch performances is running out, and every match is precious.
🇲🇽 Ochoa: A Veteran Across Six World Cups, The Mexican Goalkeeper Aiming for Historic Breakthrough
Among all the participants in this World Cup, very few players have had the experience of competing in six World Cups, with Messi, Ronaldo, and Mexican goalkeeper Ochoa being the only ones to achieve this feat.
In the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, Ochoa was a backup for the Mexican national team. After years of development, he secured a starting position, consistently starting in the last three World Cups. In this World Cup, benefiting from the home advantage, Ochoa will lead his team in pursuit of a quarterfinal berth, aiming to break through the team’s long-standing bottleneck in major competitions and achieve a historic milestone.
🇩🇪 Neuer: A Comeback After Retiring, The Legendary Goalkeeper Returns to the World Cup
On August 21, 2024, Neuer officially announced his retirement from the German national team via social media, marking the end of his 15-year career as a national goalkeeper. After a two-year hiatus, this legendary goalkeeper has chosen to return, rejoining the national team for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, continuing his legendary journey.
During his tenure with the national team, Neuer has played 124 matches for Germany, achieving 51 clean sheets, and has competed in four World Cups and four European Championships. As a key member of the 2014 World Cup championship team, he also won the Golden Glove award that year, establishing himself as one of the greatest goalkeepers in German football history. His return to the pitch for this farewell performance has garnered significant attention.
🇧🇪 De Bruyne: The Curtain Falls on Belgium's Golden Core, The Midfield Maestro's Final Chapter
As a core attacking player of Belgium's golden generation, De Bruyne is recognized as one of the top attacking midfielders in the world, possessing top-tier passing vision, orchestration ability, and competition experience. During this World Cup, De Bruyne will celebrate his 35th birthday, and long-term injury issues have affected his form, making the 2026 World Cup likely to be his last dance.
With 16 years invested in the Belgian national team, De Bruyne has accumulated 119 appearances and scored 37 goals, always being a crucial pillar in the midfield. The career of this top midfield maestro is coming to an end, and every appearance must be cherished by fans.
🇪🇬 Salah: A New Chapter Away from Liverpool, The Egyptian Pharaoh's Last World Cup Battle
As the World Cup approaches, Salah is about to celebrate his 34th birthday. This summer, the football superstar will officially bid farewell to Liverpool, where he has spent many years, to embark on a new professional journey. On a national team level, this World Cup is likely to be Salah's ultimate World Cup appearance.
Throughout a 15-year career with the national team, Salah has consistently been Egypt's absolute core, making 114 appearances and scoring 65 goals, carrying the banner of Egyptian football for many years. This World Cup journey will mark the final World Cup stage for this African football legend.
🇳🇱 Van Dijk: The Soul of the Dutch Defense, The Captain's Final Battle
In the 2025-26 season, while Van Dijk's performance at Liverpool has not reached his peak level, he remains a top defender in world football. For the Dutch national team, Van Dijk is the irreplaceable defensive soul and team captain, carrying the responsibility for the defense.
So far, Van Dijk has made 91 appearances for the Dutch national team, scoring 12 goals. The 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico will be only his second World Cup appearance, but it is highly likely to be his last. As the leader of the Orange Army, Van Dijk carries the hopes of countless fans as he strives to lead the Netherlands in pursuit of outstanding achievements.