From Messi To Ronaldo, The 2026 World Cup Marked The End Of A Legendary Era

The tournament felt like a passing of the torch — teenagers like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí shone, highlighted by the iconic Messi–Yamal embrace and touching moments like youngster Gilberto Mora beside his idol Guillermo Ochoa.
It likely marked the World Cup farewell for a generation of legends — Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Manuel Neuer, Guillermo Ochoa and Edin Džeko among those probably playing their last World Cups.
Plenty of emotional milestones and storylines: Ronaldo became the first to score in six World Cups, Modrić earned his 200th cap, Ochoa completed a sixth World Cup appearance, and Džeko’s leadership carried deep national symbolism.