The "forty-something" players who could play the last World Cup of their career The 2026 World Cup will bring together some of the biggest names in recent football history. For several of them, however, the tournament could also represent their definitive farewell to the World Cup. In total, seven players aged 40 or over were registered for the competition, a group that brings together champions, record holders and idols from different teams. Among them is the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, who is playing in his sixth World Cup. At 41 years old, the striker remains Portugal's main reference and extends a trajectory marked by records and longevity. Another veteran is German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. After considering retirement from the national team, he was called up again and will participate in his fifth World Cup. Croatian Luka Modric is also on the list. Best player in the world in 2018 and responsible for leading Croatia's runner-up campaign that year, the midfielder arrives at the tournament with the possibility of ending his history at the World Cup. There are also players who have become symbols of their national teams, such as Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who is heading towards his sixth World Cup appearance, and Cape Verdean Vozinha, who will make his debut in the tournament at the age of 40. A little younger than the group's veterans, Lionel Messi will turn 39 during the competition. After winning the world title with Argentina in Qatar, in 2022, the striker even admitted the possibility of ending his career in World Cups. The opportunity to compete in another edition, however, spoke louder. Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni revealed that he approached Messi to find out if he intended to play in the World Cup. The answer came in a good-humored way: the coach announced that he would wait for the squad list, and Scaloni immediately responded that the star was already called up. Other experienced players arrive at the tournament surrounded by expectation. At 34 years old, Neymar secured a place in the Brazilian team even after a period marked by injuries and questions about his physical condition. Colombian James Rodríguez, in the same age group, also tries to relive the great moments he experienced in World Cups, especially in Colombia's outstanding campaign in 2014. The competition could also represent the last opportunity to compete in a World Cup for athletes such as Egyptian Mohamed Salah, Belgian Kevin De Bruyne, South Korean Son Heung-min, Dutch Virgil van Dijk and Senegalese Sadio Mané. For a generation that marked an era in international football, the 2026 World Cup has a special flavor. For many of these players, each match could be their last on a stage they helped transform into the setting for historic moments.