The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered not just for the entertainment on the pitch but also as probably the last time some of the sport’s most influential players appear on football’s biggest stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Luka Modrić, Mohamed Salah and Manuel Neuer are ending careers that have shaped modern football through their performances, leadership and lasting impact on the game.
The tournament also saw the rise of a new generation of stars, while attention also focused on the final acts of players whose influence has stretched far beyond their national sides. Their achievements have inspired supporters across the world and influenced how football is played at the highest level.
Sports historians have often argued that the game’s greatest figures leave a legacy beyond trophies. Football writer David Goldblatt has described "elite players as cultural figures whose impact reaches far beyond the pitch, while journalist Jonathan Wilson has written that exceptional footballers often drive tactical change as much as coaches or systems.”
For Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, the tournament marked the conclusion of an extraordinary World Cup career. Portugal’s campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 after a stoppage-time winner. At 41, Ronaldo became the first player to appear in six men’s FIFA World Cups, adding another historic milestone to a career filled with records, including scoring in the six seasons of the World Cup.
Although Portugal fell short of lifting the trophy, Ronaldo had already confirmed before the tournament that the event would be his final World Cup. He has not announced his retirement from club football, saying his passion for the game remains unchanged. He also leaves the international stage as men’s football’s all-time leading goal scorer.
Brazil’s hopes ended unexpectedly after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16. Neymar scored a late penalty but was unable to prevent elimination.
Speaking after the match, the forward suggested his international career had reached its conclusion, describing the defeat as the end of his journey with Brazil.
Despite suffering several injury setbacks during his career, Neymar finishes as Brazil’s leading goalscorer and one of the country’s most gifted attacking players. His final international appearance also carried special significance, taking place at the same stadium where he made his senior debut 16 years earlier.
Croatia’s exit also seemed to mark the end of Luka Modrić’s World Cup story.
Although the veteran midfielder did not formally announce his international retirement after the tournament, many observers believe the 2026 competition was his final appearance at the World Cup.
Even in the later stages of his career, Modrić continued to demonstrate the vision, passing ability and composure that had established him among the finest midfielders of his generation.
His role in guiding Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, where he won the Golden Ball, remains one of the nation’s greatest sporting achievements.
For Egypt captain Mohamed Salah, the tournament represented a long-awaited opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage once again. Injury restricted his contribution in 2018, while Egypt did not qualify for the 2022 finals. In 2026, he led his country into the knockout stage before a narrow 3-2 defeat to Argentina.
Salah delivered influential performances throughout the competition and reinforced his reputation as one of Africa’s greatest footballers. Although he has not announced plans to retire from international football, many believe the tournament could prove to be his final World Cup given the four-year gap before the next tournament.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also appeared at his final World Cup. Widely recognised for transforming the role of the modern goalkeeper, Neuer became known for his willingness to leave the penalty area, break up attacks and help build play from the back.
Although Germany did not progress as expected, Neuer’s influence on the game remains clear. His achievements include helping Germany win the 2014 FIFA World Cup, earning the Golden Glove award and inspiring a generation of goalkeepers to adopt a more proactive style.
Collectively, Ronaldo, Neymar, Modrić, Salah and Neuer have defined an era of international football. Each changed the game in different ways, whether through goalscoring, creativity, leadership, tactical intelligence or innovation.
Although their final World Cup did not end with the trophy they had hoped to lift, their contribution to football is likely to endure. As a new generation prepares to take centre stage, these players leave behind careers that will continue to shape the sport for years to come.
