End of the road for the greats of the game in Qatar

Croatia

Luka Modric signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 2008. He excelled under manager Harry Redknapp especially in Spurs run to 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League quarter-final. Modric left Spurs and joined for Real Madrid in 2012. The Croatian has been a ever present in the midfield as he has won five Champions League’s with Real Madrid. Modric was influential in Croatia’s run to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final and won the Golden Ball award for best player in Russia. He showed in Qatar that class is permanent and he has been one of the best midfielders in the modern era.

Wales

Gareth Bale played alongside Modric at both Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid. Bale is currently 33 years old and has played 111 times for Wales. Bale has scored 41 goals and holds the record for Wales highest all-time leading goal scorer. His attitude is unbelievable especially when he plays for Wales as Bale scored the winner to confirm their place at 2022 World Cup. Wales struggled in their group against England, Iran and USA but Bale was cool in scoring a pressure penalty in their first game against USA. Bale has many memories for Wales and also Real Madrid as he scored two goals in 2017/2018 UEFA Champions League Final against Liverpool.

Brazil

Neymar made his debut for Brazil in 2010 and has played 124 times for his national team. Brazil lost 7-1 to Germany at 2014 FIFA World Cup semi-final and Neymar didn’t play in this match due to injury and suspension. Brazil made it to the quarter-final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup but lost the game by a score line of 2-1 to Belgium. Neymar scored two goals in the 2021 Copa America as they lost to Argentina in the final. He equalled Pele’s record of 77 goals for Brazil after scoring a remarkable goal against Croatia in the quarter-final. He was picked to take Brazil’s fifth penalty against Croatia but didn’t get to take one as Brazil lost 4-2 on penalties.

Uruguay

Luis Suarez made the headlines at 2010 FIFA World Cup after a handball on the line against Ghana. Suarez scored 82 goals for Liverpool which was a good return considering he had two big suspensions for biting Branislav Ivanovic and not shaking Patrice Evra’s hand. Uruguay made it to the last 16 but Suarez grabbed all the headlines as he had a bite against Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. Despite his antics his goal scoring records were remarkable as he scored 198 goals for Barcelona. He was very passionate in Uruguay’s final group stage game but it wasn’t enough as South Korea went through as second place to Portugal in Group H. Suarez is now 35 years old and Qatar will probably be his last World Cup.

Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo has played in five World Cup’s and has played a remarkable 196 times for Portugal. He was a big talking point in the world of sport before Qatar as he had an interview with Piers Morgan about his time with Manchester United. Ronaldo won the 2016 European Championships with Portugal and has scored an unbelievable 701 club goals. He has set phenomenal records as he has scored over 20 goals for the last 12 consecutive seasons in a row. He scored twice in their first game against Ghana but was dropped for their last 16 clash against Switzerland. He was crying after their quarter-final loss against Morocco but his legacy will always be remembered for setting remarkable goal scoring records.

Messi show

Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest ever player to play the game but never won a World Cup. Qatar was the final chance for Messi to finish a glittering career. They lost their first game but he scored a crucial goal as they won their second game against Mexico. He missed a penalty against Poland but that didn’t stop Argentina advancing to the last 16 of 2022 World Cup. He created history as he scored his first knockout stage goal against Australia in Qatar. A penalty shoot out win against Netherlands set up a semi-final against Croatia were Messi had a fantastic assist for Argentina’s third goal.

That set up a final against France on Sunday 18th December 2022. His touch in the move for Angel Di Maria’s goal was quality and scored his second goal of the match in extra-time. Messi helped Argentina win the World Cup by scoring a penalty in the shootout. Messi was class in Qatar and deserved to win the World Cup.