Which players could play their last World Cup?

***In this second edition, we present to you the players who could play their last World Cup with their national team.

There are only four teams left in the race for Qatar 2022. All are fighting for World Cup glory.

In addition, some players have decided to step aside with their national team for the next challenges, not only at the World Cup but also at continental level.

The time for change is approaching in some national teams. At the same time, Qatar 2022 was a showcase for countries keen to mark a before and after in world football.

The careers of many stars in recent football history are coming to an end. It’s time for us to observe these gems of the future in the upcoming challenges of the World Cup and other national team tournaments.

You have already been able to read the first part of the players who would retire after Qatar 2022.We will now show you a second edition. Stick around to meet other footballers.

Last World Cup for…

Eden Hazard

The reference player of the Belgian national team has decided to retire after the elimination of Belgium in the group stage. He said so in a statement on his social media Instagram

“A page is turned today…” the Real Madrid player began his letter with this sentence.

He continued with another text of thanks:

“Thank you for your love. Thank you for your unwavering support. Thank you for all the happiness shared since 2008. I have decided to end my international career. The next generation is ready. I will miss you… »

Hazard’s decision was expected. His footballing performance has dropped significantly in recent years and although he captained Belgium in the last World Cup game, he remained on the bench.

All the weight of elimination fell on the shoulders of the senior players and Eden was one of them.

National team debut

The Duke made his debut for Belgium on 19 November 2008 in a match against Luxembourg. He only played 23 minutes in this game.

He became the eighth youngest player to debut for Belgium, aged just 17 years and 316 days.

After 3 years with the national team, he managed to score his first international goal in a match against Kazakhstan. Despite this victory, the Belgians failed to qualify for EURO 2012.

2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups

Eden Hazard has been included in the list of players who will take part in the 2014 World Cup.

During this World Cup, he played 5 matches without scoring a goal and provided only 2 assists. Belgium were eliminated in the quarter-finals after losing to Argentina.

During the 2018 World Cup, he had already taken his place as a reference in the national team. Together with Lukaku and De Bruyne, he formed a top-notch attack line.

Belgium was expected in the final of this World Cup but lost in the semi-final against France. At this World Cup, they finished in third place.

He played 6 games, scored 3 goals and assisted 2 times.

It was Qatar time with Hazard in poor physical condition, playing poorly and more inactive than active. He takes the captain’s armband but Belgium does not pass the group stage.

As part of the national team, he played 126 games and scored 33 goals. He only won the bronze medal at the 2014 World Cup.

Neymar

The Brazilian national team’s benchmark in recent years also pointed out that Qatar 2022 could be their last World Cup. Although he does not assure that it will be the case, he left some leeway to think about the possibility of being in Mexico, the United States and Canada in 2026.

“The head is still hot, I don’t have clear ideas. To say that this is the end would be hasty. I’m not closing doors, but I’m not guaranteeing anything either,” Neymar said after losing to Croatia in the quarter-finals.

South American U20 and Olympic Games

Ney played with Canarinha in the South American U20 tournament in Peru. In this tournament, he was the best player and the top scorer. He scored 9 goals in 7 games played. He also won the South American Championship and qualified for the 2012 Olympics.

He was called up to play in the London Olympics. It didn’t take him long to stir the nets.

During these Olympic Games, he played 6 goals, scored 3 times and distributed 4 assists. Brazil won the silver medal.

Four years passed and Neymar once again competed in the Olympics.

He was the leader of this Canarinha team whose mission was to win the gold medal in front of his home crowd. During these Olympic Games, he played all the matches, scored 4 goals and made 3 assists.

He fulfilled his goal of becoming champion on home soil and winning the gold medal for Brazil.

Senior National Team

On August 10, 2010, Neymar made his senior national team debut at the age of 18. On those same debuts, he scored a headed goal.

The 2011 Copa América was his first international tournament with Brazil. He played 4 games and scored 2 goals.

He participated in the 2013 Confederations Cup which was held in Brazil. In this tournament, Ney shone. He was named player of the match in 4 games.

He scored 4 goals in the whole tournament, with 2 assists in 5 matches. Moreover, he was the golden ball of this competition.

He participated in the 2014 World Cup which was held in his country. He played 5 matches, 4 goals and one assist. In the quarter-final against Colombia, he was injured by a blow to the vertebra, which ended his dream of the World Cup.

In 2015, he received the call-up for the Copa América. But, in the second game of the group stage, he was suspended after assaulting another player at the end of the game.

He participated in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals. In this World Cup, he played 5 games, scored twice and assisted once.

Qatar 2022 has become his last international adventure, for now. In this World Cup, he scored 2 goals and assisted once in 3 matches.

Objectives and titles

With the Brazil senior national team, Neymar played 124 times and scored 77 goals. He is, after Pelé, the player who has scored the most goals in the history of the Canarinha.

He also won 3 titles: The South American U20s in Peru, the Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2013 and the Rio Olympics in 2016.