There was a time when it was enough to review the lineup of teams like Croatia, Germany, Brazil or Mexico to find names that seemed eternal. Footballers who survived coaching changes, entire generations and tactical revolutions. But he World Cup 2026 It will also remain in memory as the tournament that lowered the curtain for several of them.
The eliminations of these teams not only marked the end of their path in the World Cup. They also left the feeling of having witnessed the last act of a generation that defined international football for almost two decades. Although some have not yet made their retirement official, age and context suggest that it will be difficult for them to compete in another World Cup again.
Luka Modrić: the eternal architect
The removal of Croatia vs. Portugal seems to have put an end to Luka Modrić’s extraordinary World Cup story.
At 40 years old, the midfielder played in his fifth World Cup after having guided his country to a historic final in Russia 2018 and third place in Qatar 2022. His intelligence in controlling the pace of the game made Croatia an unexpected power for more than a decade.
Although he avoided confirming his immediate retirement, he admitted that he will make a decision soon. Uncertainty only fuels nostalgia: it is difficult to imagine another World Cup without the Croatian number 10 marking the beat of the match.
Manuel Neuer: the goalkeeper who redefined his position
Few footballers transformed their position like Manuel Neuer.
World champion in Brazil 2014, he revolutionized the role of the goalkeeper by acting as an advanced libero, initiating plays and anticipating outside the area. After Germany’s elimination against Paraguay, the goalkeeper confirmed that this was his last World Cup.
He says goodbye with 128 international matches and five World Cups, leaving an indelible mark on the evolution of modern football.
Neymar and Casemiro: the closing of a generation without a crown
Brazil once again said goodbye early and with this the cycle of two of its great references seems to end.
Neymar did make his goodbye official. After the defeat against Norway, he tearfully announced his retirement from the national team. He leaves as Canarinha’s all-time top scorer, with 80 goals, but also with the debt of a world title that seemed destined for him when he emerged as the great promise of Brazilian football.
Casemirofor his part, has not made his retirement official, but at 34 years old everything indicates that he also played his last World Cup. For years he was the balance of the Brazilian midfield and a key piece in a generation that never managed to be crowned.
Guillermo Ochoa: the symbol of Mexico
If there is a recurring image of Mexican soccer in recent World Cups, it is that of Guillermo Ochoa signing impossible saves.
His performance against Brazil in 2014 projected him globally and consolidated him as one of the great references of El Tri. The elimination against England in the round of 16 seems to mark the closing of their World Cup cycle.
At 40 years old, he leaves a legacy of leadership, consistency and memorable performances that place him among the most important goalkeepers in the history of Mexican soccer.
More than eliminations, a change of era
The World Cups not only discover new stars, they also say goodbye to those who marked an era.
Modrić showed that intelligence can dominate the game; Neuer changed the way of understanding the goal; Neymar brought fantasy back to Brazilian football; Casemiro made balance an art; and Ochoa turned each World Cup into a stage for his saves.
Beyond the results, all of them leave a mark that is difficult to replace: that of footballers who defined a generation and who, most likely, have already played in their last World Cup.