CORNERFLICK
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luka Modrić — three players who have each written their own chapter in the history of modern football — were all present at what could prove to be their final World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end, but one of the biggest questions left hanging over the tournament concerns the future of a golden generation of stars who have shaped world football for more than a decade.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luka Modrić — three names that have each helped define an era of modern football — all featured at what was their final World Cup of their respective careers. Many expected at least one of the three superstars to announce their retirement from international football after the tournament, but so far, none has officially done so.
Their situations, however, are very different. One is continuing to chase records and personal milestones, another remains at the highest level of club football, while the third could be entering the final season of his international career.
**Cristiano Ronaldo: Is Portugal Farewell Finally on the Horizon? ** Ronaldo announced during the 2026 World Cup that the tournament would be his last. The Portugal captain made it clear ahead of the last-16 clash with Spain that he would not feature at the next World Cup.
Portugal were beaten 1-0 in that match, leaving Ronaldo's dream of lifting the World Cup trophy unfulfilled. The forward, who has won virtually every major individual and team honour available to him, has never managed to claim the biggest prize in international football.
But the end of his World Cup career does not necessarily mean the end of his international career.
Ronaldo remains in remarkable physical condition — one that many younger players would envy — and alongside his footballing ambitions, he is still chasing another major milestone: reaching 1,000 career goals.
From a commercial perspective, Ronaldo's departure from the Portugal national team would also represent a huge loss. Football marketing expert Daniel Sá has highlighted the scale of his importance, saying:
“From a branding perspective, Ronaldo is more important than many national teams. When he leaves international football, the football world will lose a huge amount of media attention.”
Portugal have players such as Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and João Neves coming through, but none can yet match Ronaldo's global popularity or media influence.
Speaking after Portugal's elimination from the World Cup, Ronaldo said:
“This was my last World Cup. Now I have time to think, spend time with my family and carry on with life. I did everything I could.”
Even so, the exact timing of his international retirement remains unclear.
Some reports have suggested that Ronaldo could call time on his Portugal career after the Nations League meeting with Wales — a match scheduled to take place at Lisbon's Estádio José Alvalade, the home of his former club Sporting.
The report, however, has not been confirmed by Ronaldo or the Portuguese Football Federation.
Portugal's new head coach, Jorge Jesus, has also stressed that Ronaldo remains an important player for the national team:
“Cristiano will never be a problem for the national team or for me. He is an icon of Portuguese football, and when the time comes to make a decision, I will speak to him.”
For now, Ronaldo appears more focused on continuing his club career. His contract with Al-Nassr runs until the summer of 2027, and what he will decide after that remains unknown.
**Luka Modrić: The Croatian Legend's Final Dance? ** Like Ronaldo, Luka Modrić emerged from the 2026 World Cup with his future firmly under the spotlight.
Many had expected the legendary midfielder to retire not only from the Croatia national team after the tournament, but perhaps from professional football altogether.
Before the end of the World Cup, several reports claimed that Modrić was planning to hang up his boots after the tournament. There were even reports of talks over a potential executive role at Real Madrid.
But circumstances changed.
AC Milan, Modrić's new club, were keen to extend their relationship with the midfielder, while head coach Rúben Amorim personally pushed for him to remain at the club.
Amorim said:
“I want Modrić to stay with our team. I have spoken to him and, if necessary, I will personally do everything I can to convince him.”
Reports subsequently emerged that Modrić had agreed to a one-year contract extension with Milan, meaning the Croatian decided to continue his playing career for at least another season.
His future with the Croatia national team, however, remains uncertain.
Some Italian sources have claimed that Modrić has decided to retire from international football after Croatia's Nations League meeting with Spain — a match that is scheduled to be played in his hometown of Split.
If that happens, it would mark the end of a historic era for Croatian football.
Modrić has been the leader of Croatia's golden generation for almost two decades. In 2018, he cemented his place in football history by winning the Ballon d'Or, becoming the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the award since 2007.
**Lionel Messi: The End Is Not Here Yet ** Of the three footballing icons, Lionel Messi's situation may be the most complicated.
Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, who has already announced the end of his World Cup career, and Luka Modrić, who appears to be approaching a major decision about his future, Messi has given no clear indication that he intends to retire from international football.
The Argentina star, who is currently mourning the loss of his father, stepped away from football for several days following the 2026 World Cup final. He returned to Argentina to spend time with his family before eventually returning to training and action with Inter Miami.
That sequence of events suggests Messi is still not ready to contemplate the end of his professional career.
However, comments from some of those close to him have once again fuelled speculation about his future with Argentina.
Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes suggested after the World Cup final that the match could have been Messi's final appearance for the Albiceleste.
Paredes said:
“I think Messi has decided that the World Cup final was his last game for the national team. I hope that isn't the case, and I hope he continues.”
The final decision, of course, rests solely with Messi.
Other reports have suggested otherwise. Argentine football journalist Fran Cassetto, who is close to the national-team scene, has reported that sources close to Messi believe he currently has no plans to retire from international football.
According to those reports, Messi could remain with Argentina until the 2028 Copa América — a tournament that could potentially become his final major international competition.
The End of an Era or Another Chapter in a Historic Story?
The 2026 World Cup may have been the final appearance at the tournament for three of football's greatest-ever figures, but their stories are not necessarily over.
Ronaldo, Modrić and Messi are all on very different paths.
Ronaldo is likely entering the final phase of his international career, but he remains motivated by personal records and the desire to extend his club career.
Modrić, despite having passed the age of 40, continues to operate at the highest level of European football. His decision over his future with Croatia could bring the official conclusion to one of the most remarkable stories in modern football.
Messi, meanwhile, appears to be guided above all by how he feels. If he continues to enjoy playing for Argentina and his body allows him to do so, a place at the 2028 Copa América remains a possibility.
One thing, however, is certain: world football is approaching the end of a historic era.
The generation that turned the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo into the biggest story in football is slowly making way for a new generation of stars.
But even after their eventual farewells, the influence of these three players will remain.
They did more than win trophies and break records. They changed the way greatness is measured in football — and left a legacy that will endure long after they have walked away from the game.