The 2026 World Cup has been a tournament of farewells. As the knockout rounds have unfolded, several of the game's most decorated names have walked off the pitch for the last time in a national shirt. A couple more are still clinging on, with every match now carrying the weight of a career's final chapter.

Here's how the last World Cup went for five true legends of the game, and what it means for how they'll be remembered.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth and final World Cup ended in Arlington, Texas, on July 6, when Spain's Mikel Merino struck in the 91st minute to send Portugal out 1-0 in the round of 16. Ronaldo, 41, walked off with 27 World Cup appearances to his name, the most by any player other than Messi.

He leaves the tournament as the only man to score in six different World Cups, and the all-time leader in international goals and caps, but without the one trophy that eluded him. "It was my last World Cup, yes," he told reporters afterwards, adding he wouldn't rush any decision on his wider international future.

Lionel Messi

Unlike the others, Messi's story isn't finished yet. At 39, he's already made history at this tournament, becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, and Argentina remain alive heading into a semi-final against England on July 15. Win or lose from here, this is Messi's sixth and final World Cup.

Having already broken his personal curse by winning in 2022, he has nothing left to prove. But one more medal, on either side of the final, would be the perfect send-off. If you want to bet on Messi’s final World Cup games, you can use GOAL to find a 1xbet promo code India for your betting.

Neymar

Neymar's World Cup swansong was a difficult one. Hampered by injury throughout the tournament, Brazil's all-time top scorer featured in just two matches before Norway ended Brazil's run 2-1 in the round of 16, Erling Haaland scoring twice. Neymar did find the net, converting a late penalty in what turned out to be his final act for the Selecao.

Speaking after the match, Neymar confirmed he was done with international football altogether. Five World Cups won't be enough to place him among Brazil's untouchable greats, but this tournament closed the door on that possibility for good.

Luka Modric

Luka Modric's fifth World Cup came to a heartbreaking end in Toronto on July 2, as Croatia lost 2-1 to Portugal in the round of 32. At 40, Modric still led his side in touches and delivered the kind of passing range that defined his career, but a disallowed late equaliser from Josko Gvardiol sealed Croatia's exit.

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic called it "probably" Modric's last World Cup appearance. Having taken Croatia to a final in 2018 and a semi-final in 2022, this tournament brings his extraordinary run on the game's biggest stage to a close.

Kevin De Bruyne

Belgium's golden generation went out together on July 11, beaten 2-1 by Spain in the quarter-finals at SoFi Stadium. Kevin De Bruyne, now 35 and playing his club football at Napoli, was at the heart of Belgium's response after falling behind, but a late Mikel Merino winner ended the Red Devils' campaign following an injury-hit night that also cost them captain Thibaut Courtois.

"Our World Cup ends here," De Bruyne posted afterwards. "Heads held high." Like Ronaldo, he leaves without ever getting past the semi-finals of a World Cup or Euros.