The flight to 2026 feels both long and incredibly short, especially when you start counting down for the legends. For a good chunk of the game's all-time greats, the World Cup in North America is it. One last dance. One final shot at glory, or at least a graceful exit on the biggest stage.

Here's who I'm watching closely, knowing that 2026 will be their World Cup swan song:

The Last Stand for Golden Boots and Midfield Maestros

Let's start with the obvious. Lionel Messi, turning 39 during the tournament. What more does he need? He hoisted the trophy in Qatar, finally. He scored seven goals, including two in the final, and picked up the Golden Ball for the second time, the only player ever to do that. His five World Cup goals in 2022 pushed his total to 13, passing Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time leading scorer in the competition. He’s already got the record for most World Cup matches played with 26. He’s arguably the greatest ever, now with the ultimate prize. So why come back? Because he's Messi. Because even at 39, he'll still be the best player on the field on most days. Argentina will build around him again, and he'll chase history, maybe adding to his eight Ballon d'Or awards with another strong showing. Maybe he just wants to enjoy it one last time without the immense pressure of *needing* the trophy. I think he plays more of a creator role, a deep-lying playmaker, picking his moments. He’ll want to cement his legacy not just as a winner, but as a consistent performer across five or even six World Cups.

Then there's Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be 41. Forty-one. Think about that for a second. His 2022 World Cup ended with a whimper, benched for the knockout stages, a far cry from the player who notched a hat-trick against Spain in 2018. He became the first male player to score in five different World Cups when he converted a penalty against Ghana in Qatar. He has eight World Cup goals in total, spread across 22 appearances. His club career took a bizarre turn to Saudi Arabia after Manchester United. For Ronaldo, 2026 is pure legacy. It's a chance to show he can still compete, even in a reduced role. He won the Euros with Portugal in 2016. The World Cup is the only major international trophy missing. Does he need it to complete his story? Objectively, no. He's already a legend. But he *wants* it. He'll want to prove the doubters wrong one last time. My hot take? He comes off the bench, scores a key goal, and bows out with a moment of glory, not frustration.

Luka Modric, the Croatian maestro, will be 40. He led Croatia to the final in 2018, winning the Golden Ball, and then to the semi-finals in 2022, beating Brazil along the way. His vision, his passing, his ability to dictate tempo at his age is just absurd. He's got 18 World Cup caps. He keeps defying father time at Real Madrid, too, winning five Champions League titles. For Modric, 2026 is about a final, beautiful dance in midfield. He’ll want to prove that Croatia’s run wasn’t a fluke, that their golden generation still has some magic left. He doesn’t need a World Cup trophy; his place in history is secure. But he’ll want to leave the Croatian national team in a strong position, perhaps mentoring the next generation on the biggest stage.

Luis Suarez, 39, the Uruguayan噛みつき king, still plays with that snarling intensity. His World Cup story is wild: the handball against Ghana in 2010, the bite on Chiellini in 2014, the disallowed goal against Ghana in 2022 that sent Uruguay home. He has seven World Cup goals across four tournaments, including a brace against England in 2014. He's won Copa América in 2011 with Uruguay. He’s won everything at club level. For Suarez, 2026 is about one last chance to be a hero, not a villain. He’ll want to score goals, lead the line, and perhaps help Uruguay to a deeper run than in recent memory. A World Cup trophy would be the ultimate redemption, but even a strong goal-scoring campaign would be a fitting end for one of the most polarizing strikers of his generation.

The Veterans Chasing a Different Kind of History

Robert Lewandowski, the Polish goal machine, will be 37. He finally scored his first two World Cup goals in 2022, after a long wait. He’s got 18 goals in 148 international caps, Poland’s all-time leading scorer. He's won everything with Bayern Munich, broken countless Bundesliga records. But the World Cup has always been a tough nut to crack for Poland. For Lewandowski, 2026 is about leading his nation as far as possible. He doesn't have the supporting cast to truly contend, but he'll want to leave a mark, perhaps getting Poland past the group stage again. A quarter-final appearance would be monumental for his legacy with the national team.

Manuel Neuer, the German goalkeeper, will be 40. A World Cup winner in 2014, he redefined the sweeper-keeper role. He’s got 117 caps and 19 World Cup appearances. Injuries have plagued him in recent years, but when he’s on, he’s still one of the best shot-stoppers in the world. Germany's last two World Cups have been disastrous, group stage exits in 2018 and 2022. For Neuer, 2026 is about redemption for *Die Mannschaft*. He'll want to go out on a high note, steadying a German defense that has looked shaky. Another deep run, maybe even a final, would be a perfect way to cap a legendary career.

Thomas Müller, another German World Cup winner, will be 36. He has 10 World Cup goals, putting him tied for eighth all-time, just six behind Miroslav Klose’s record of 16. He won the Golden Boot in 2010 with five goals. Müller is a Raumdeuter, a space interpreter, and his unorthodox style has brought him immense success. Like Neuer, he’ll want to erase the memory of Germany’s recent failures. He’ll be a veteran leader, pulling the strings in attack. Adding to his World Cup goal tally and helping Germany make a serious push would be a fantastic final chapter.

Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian midfield general, will be 35. He’s been the engine of Belgium’s “golden generation,” a group that never quite reached their full potential, finishing third in 2018. He has three World Cup goals and eight assists in 13 appearances. De Bruyne has won everything with Manchester City. The World Cup is the one missing piece of major international silverware. For him, 2026 is the last, best chance for Belgium to finally deliver. He’ll be a little older, maybe not as explosive, but his passing range and vision will still be world-class. He’ll want to lead Belgium to at least a semi-final, proving their generation wasn't just about individual talent.

Angel Di Maria, the Argentine winger and Messi’s trusted lieutenant, will be 38. He scored the opening goal in the 2022 World Cup final against France and the winner in the 2021 Copa América final against Brazil. He’s often overshadowed by Messi but has been key in Argentina’s recent triumphs. He has played 18 World Cup matches. For Di Maria, 2026 is about savoring the experience, perhaps playing a super-sub role, and supporting Messi one last time. He's already completed his story with the World Cup trophy in hand, but he’ll want to be there for his friend and his country.

Toni Kroos, the German midfield maestro, will be 36. He retired from international football in 2021 after Euro 2020, but there's always talk of him coming back. A World Cup winner in 2014, he's got 106 caps for Germany and 17 World Cup appearances. He’s known for his immaculate passing and control. If he were to come out of retirement for one last World Cup, it would be purely about trying to fix Germany’s recent woes. He'd want to bring his calming presence and unparalleled vision back to the German midfield, to push for another trophy. It's a long shot, but if anyone could still perform at that level after a hiatus, it's Kroos.

These guys aren't just playing for pride; they're playing for their place in the pantheon, for that final, indelible image. They’re chasing that perfect curtain call. My bold prediction? At least one of these legends, against all odds, lifts the trophy again. And it won’t be Messi.