which players are retiring after the world cup
Several high-profile players are being linked with retirement after the World Cup, but the clearest names in the latest reports are Neymar , Riyad Mahrez , and possibly Cristiano Ronaldo. A number of other stars, especially Lionel Messi , are widely expected to make this their final World Cup, though that is more expectation than confirmed retirement.
Confirmed or strongly reported
- Neymar has announced retirement from international football after Brazil’s exit.
- Riyad Mahrez retired from Algeria duty after the round-of-32 exit.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has said this is his last World Cup, but reports still frame his broader retirement from Portugal as not fully settled.
Likely farewell names
- Lionel Messi is widely expected to be playing his final World Cup.
- Other aging stars are often mentioned in “last World Cup” discussions, but the reports are more speculative than official.
Quick takeaway
If you want the short list of players most likely to be retiring after the World Cup, it is: Neymar, Mahrez, Ronaldo, and Messi —with Neymar and Mahrez the most clearly confirmed from current reports.
| Player | Status | What the reports say |
|---|---|---|
| Neymar | Confirmed | Announced retirement from international football after Brazil’s exit. | [1]
| Riyad Mahrez | Confirmed | Retired from Algeria duty after World Cup elimination. | [3]
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Likely / reported | Said this is his last World Cup, but future team retirement remains less explicit. | [2]
| Lionel Messi | Expected | Widely described as likely making his final World Cup appearance. | [7]