When the best players that football has to offer call it a day on the international stage, it’s always a sad time, especially if they feel somewhat unfulfilled. With the World Cup taking place every four years, too, most players only receive a limited chance to lift the famous prize, making every game even more important than the last.
Unfortunately for some in Qatar, they reached the end of their international careers without having the opportunity for ultimate success. As such players begin to hang up their boots, we will see the beginning of a new era for several nations.
The World Cup eludes Cristiano Ronaldo once and for all
Cristiano Ronaldo has won it all in what has undoubtedly been an illustrious career. One trophy has eluded him, however. And that’s the World Cup – arguably football’s biggest prize. Morocco shocked the world to leave Ronaldo in tears once more in Qatar, and are now 11/1 to win the tournament in a World Cup bet. The underdogs face France next in the last four in what will be their toughest test yet.
It was another difficult spell for Ronaldo, who was dropped by manager Fernando Santos against Switzerland and then Morocco. This follows Ronaldo’s contract termination at Manchester United, having also struggled for game time at Old Trafford. The forward’s recent downfall may somewhat damage his legacy in what has been a disappointing few months.
Whilst Ronaldo’s club future is uncertain, it may not be too long before we see the Portugal star call it a day on the international stage.
Thomas Muller bows out at Qatar World Cup
There is no doubt that Thomas Muller has had the greatest success on the international stage with Germany. The Bayern Munich legend played a pivotal part as his country lifted the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Since then, however, things have gone downhill, to say the least.
In Russia, 2018, Germany failed to make it out of their group, having been matched against Sweden, Mexico, and South Korea – opponents they should be beating. And, so, 2022 in Qatar was built as somewhat of a redemption arc for Muller and co. But, fast forward to the knockout stage, and Germany are once again nowhere to be seen, having suffered a second consecutive group stage exit.
Germany forward Thomas Muller says his nation’s exit from the 2022 World Cup is an “absolute catastrophe”.
More from @alihumayun33https://t.co/SzrmtVj9lK
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 1, 2022
Luis Suarez’s World Cup experience ends in tears
A controversial character as ever, Luis Suarez had the chance to enjoy the perfect personal narrative in the group stage, when his Uruguay side squared off against Ghana once more. If you cast your mind back to 2010, of course, it was the striker’s handball on the line which denied Ghana – who missed the resulting penalty – a winning goal in the last eight.
With that history, Uruguay had the chance to once again inflict pain on Ghana at the World Cup, whilst the latter had the chance for revenge. By the end of the 90 minutes, though, both sides were left disappointed as Uruguay’s 2-0 victory kicked both sides out of the competition, thanks to South Korea’s win over Portugal.
