Messi.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
A look at age-verification documents would make one wonder how these warhorses’ batteries still have enough charge for the FIFA World Cup.It appears as though they have been competing at football’s glitziest spectacle since time immemorial. The ageless fighters, however, are likely to bid adieu to the pinnacle of the global game in the ongoing edition. Here are five such players who are set for their last dance:Lionel Messi (38 years): The Argentine talisman, who will turn 39 during the World Cup, is no longer shouldering the burden of attaining ultimate success, having achieved crowning glory in Qatar 2022.There was a shadow of doubt whether he would make it to the record-equalling sixth tournament, but the richly gifted forward has opted to take the toughest football examination once again. Messi is steadily building up to full fitness after being sidelined with a hamstring injury, which he suffered when he was on duty for Inter Miami. His objective? Adding a feather to an already heavily decorated cap with a successful title defence.Cristiano Ronaldo (41): The Portuguese legend would just not bow out of the international arena without straining every sinew to accomplish the mission. After multiple unsuccessful pursuits that left him heartbroken, Ronaldo, the only man to score in five iterations, will have another bite at the cherry.
