The football World Cup is finally here! Opening with Russia’s five-goal cracker and the 6-goal Spain-Portugal draw, the 2018 FIFA World Cup promises to be high on the drama quotient.
The four-year wait for the world cup does its bit to help football fans from across the world forget about their differences and come together to celebrate the ‘Beautiful Sport’, irrespective of nationality or language. During the month devoted to football, stars are born, demigods are shown the twilight and history is made.
Euphoria aside, come end of July, and fans will be left weeping for the sheer loss that the footballing world will be dealt with when we see off a few world-class talents. For a number of players, this will be their last shot at the coveted trophy, and the last world cup they will play before they retire. Take a look:
Lionel Messi
Argentina barely scrapped through the qualifying stages only to put themselves in one of the toughest groups alongside Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria. Lionel Messi’s heroics in the last match managed to keep them afloat, but Argentina will have to do a lot more for glory.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Arguably one of the best players in the world, Ronaldo has joked about how he wants to play till he turns 41. But keeping in mind that he will turn 37 come next World Cup, it would be safe to assume that this could be Ronaldo’s farewell tournament. Surrounded by players like Bernardo Silva and Ricardo Quaresma, Portugal have a long shot at the cup.
Luis Suarez
The feisty Uruguayan has been without any major controversy since his transfer to Barcelona. Given that he is one of the best strikers in the world despite the fitness issues, speaks leagues about his grit and character.
With strong mid-field, defense and attack, Uruguay has one of the most balanced teams in this World Cup.
Thiago Silva
Russia 2018 is going to be Brazil's year of redemption after their 1-7 loss in the 2014 semis. At 33 years of age, Thiago Silva has probably seen it all. He was a leader who fell at the 14 WC and lost his place in the PSG, but bounced back to get into the Brazil team under tremendous competition. Led by Neymar this year, Silva and Brazil would hope to avenge last year’s results to script their dream comeback in Russia.
Luka Modric
The master in mid-field, and the magician with the ball, Luka Modric at 33 will be on his last WC outing in his national colours. Playing at the traditional no 10 role for Croatia this year, Modric will be essential to his team’s mechanics. The unsung hero of Real Madrid along will look to work with Ivan Rakitic to brew creativity in the field for Croatia.
Having already missed a world cup in 2010 due to injury, he is likely to go out all guns blazing in the group of death in the FIFA World Cup 2018.
Stay tuned at The Quint for updates on FIFA World Cup.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)