The FIFA World Cup 2026 could be the final act for some of football’s finest talents.Although some of this tournament’s players will set a men’s football record by appearing in their sixth World Cup, age is catching up, and other players have struggled with injuries.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listAl Jazeera takes a look at who might be making their final bow on the global stage at the tournament in North America:Cristiano Ronaldo – PortugalAlthough fitness has been one of Ronaldo’s biggest strengths during his illustrious career, at 41, the Portugal forward knows his playing days are numbered.Numbers have always been on the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward’s side, though, and he fired in 30 in 37 matches for Al-Nassr this season, while his tally for Portugal currently sits at 143 goals.The second-oldest player at this year’s tournament, only behind Scotland’s 43-year-old Craig Gordon, Ronaldo heads to his record sixth World Cup, well aware it could be his final chance to lift the coveted golden trophy: the only one missing from his glittering cabinet. Cristiano Ronaldo will play in his sixth, and possibly his last, World Cup this year [Pedro Nunes/Reuters]Lionel Messi – ArgentinaLike Ronaldo, Messi is also off to his record sixth finals appearance, one where he will lead Argentina’s defence of the title they won in Qatar four years ago.Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and appearance holder, Messi, has struggled with injury in the build-up to the tournament, raising doubts about whether he will feature in each game and if h …
