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The World Cup has finally come to a close and France has been crowned champions for the second time in their history. Plenty of big names are leaving the tournament having failed to live up to expectations but all players, staff, fans and media will go back with memories they will remember till they die.
After an absolutely crazy month of football, the next season is just under a month away and football will not be gone for long. These players will go back to their clubs and their lives and will have to quickly regroup from all the festivities in Russia.
While a number of players have just experienced their first major tournament, a number of players will never ever feature in the world cup again, while a few still have a chance four years later. Ronaldo is now 33, Messi is 31, and Suarez is 31, and they are all top professionals, and if fit and qualified for the World Cup will get selected four years later.
Age and more importantly their lack of fitness can rule out top players from competing in tournaments and players will have to keep that in mind if they want to compete at the highest level in four years time.
Here we take a look at the top three players who could have played in their final World Cup tournament.
#3 Robert Lewandowski
Given his incredible record in qualifying – he was the top scorer in the European section with 16 goals – Robert Lewandowski was poor and ineffective during the group stages of the last two major international tournaments.
Lewandowski’s performances in Russia owe more to the lack of service he received than any failings on his part, but the bottom line is that the top scorer in European qualification made a minimal impact on the tournament itself and is not getting any younger to continue spearheading the national side in four years time when he will 33-years-old.
The 29-year-old rarely threatened in any of Poland’s group games and in 270 minutes of action registered just three shots on target. The Polish player might have played his only and final World Cup in his career. Even if he remains fit and scoring he will need help from other players and whether he receives that is a question that raises the another about his participation at another World Cup.
#2 Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil's Arsenal career was on the verge of coming to an end in 2018 but the German signed a new contract with the Gunners for three seasons, which will be under Unai Emery. Ozil was poor for Germany in the World Cup group stages in the two games he featured in, and was dropped in the second group game of the tournament by Joachim Low.
A creative genius on the field, Ozil is unlike any player on his day and can split open defences with a single pass, but it wasn't to be in Russia for the player as he passed by unnoticed. Ozil will have to regroup quickly and find his place in Unai Emery's squad for next season.
A vital component of Germany's 2014 World Cup win and Arsenal's attacking play, Ozil's poor form all season long including the World Cup could dent his hopes of appearing for the national team in the future. While he is only 29-years-old, with the wealth of talent coming through the ranks Ozil might have played his final World Cup.
#1 David Silva
The midfielder looked fantastic for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola in their title-winning season having perfected his playing style, heading into the World Cup in great spirits after one of his best Premier League seasons.
Silva sadly couldn't replicate his partnership with Kevin de Bruyne and Fernandinho at club level with his compatriots in the national team and ended by having a poor, uneventful tournament. The Spanish maestro didn't fit into the system Spain used in midfield and now 32-years-old could have played his final tournament.
It's a bit surprising to think that after the season that Silva had he would enjoy a bright World Cup and harsh to think it will his final World Cup. The fact is in four years time, Silva will be 36 and with the talent coming through the ranks in Spain, it is highly unlikely he will get a look in. However, after being part of the 2010 squad that won the tournament, Silva will look back at his World Cup career with fond memories.
