Messi, Ronaldo and other veterans staged the final battle, the World Cup in Qatar is about to begin
Their “curtain” Their “curtain”
Our reporter Liu Bing
At 00:00 on November 21 Beijing time, the opening match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup will officially kick off, with the host team Qatar playing against South American powerhouses Ecuador. This World Cup is Messi and Ronaldo’s fifth away matches in the World Cup, and it may also be the curtain call of the World Cup for many veterans. Their performance was enthusiastically followed by the fans. And these well-known stars will also join Qatar to present a wonderful green drama to fans around the world.
Melo’s five world appearances
“Is Qatar the last World Cup I attended as a player? The answer is yes.” Recently, Messi said in an interview. This football idol who has accompanied people for more than ten years has entered the final stage of his career.
This World Cup is the fifth World Cup that the 35-year-old Messi and 37-year-old Ronaldo have participated in together, and it is very likely to be the last chapter of the “Melo Era”. To date, there are only 4 players in the world who have participated in the World Cup five times.
Messi’s journey to the World Cup is full of regrets and tragedies. In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, 19-year-old Messi was selected for the Argentina national team and scored a goal and became familiar to people. Four years later, at the World Cup in South Africa, the Argentine team led by Messi, who had just become captain, performed mediocre and finished in the top 8. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the Argentine team led by Messi she performed bravely and finally broke through to the final, losing to the German team and winning the second place. In the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Argentina team supported by Messi was eliminated by champions France in the quarter-finals.
Ronaldo’s experience is quite similar to Messi’s: although there are many brilliant moments, most are regrets. In the four World Cups since 2006, although the Ronaldo-led Portuguese team has had a strong performance advancing to the semi-finals, it has been more embarrassing to stop in the top 16 or even in the group stage.
For more than ten years, Melo has been called the “peerless double pride” of world football. The outside world debated which of the two is stronger and weaker. In the last 4 World Cups, Messi played a total of 19 times, scored 6 goals and assisted 5 times, Ronaldo participated in 17 games, scored 7 goals and assisted 2 times. In this World Cup away match, can Melo guide his respective teams through all stages, and even stage a direct dialogue in the round of 16? worth the wait.
Lu Yin’s twilight years are full of ambition
Like Melo, among the players who will take part in this World Cup, there are several “older youngsters” who are over 30, and some are even close to 40. The fact that these players who have reached the sunset of their careers can successfully end their careers in the World Cup has attracted widespread attention.
Take for example the Belgian team known as the “European Red Devils”: judging by the recently announced squad for the World Cup, there are as many as 11 players over the age of 30, including Hazard, De Bruyne and other famous stars. In the last World Cup, Belgium made a historic semi-final and beat England to take third place. Now can this veteran teacher continue to write brilliantly?
Similarly to the Belgian team, the “golden generation” of the Croatian team will also host the World Cup “Sunset Battle”. In the last World Cup, the “Lattice Legion” became a blockbuster and finally won the second place, creating the best record in the history of the World Cup team. Today the nucleus of the Croatian team, Modric, is 37 years old, and another player, Perisic, 33. Are they still in the same state?
Turning his attention to Asian teams, Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima is about to usher in his 40th birthday. For 12 years he was the main goalkeeper of the Japanese team. So far, Eiji Kawashima has played 95 games for the Japan team. Four years ago, he was the oldest player in the Japan team at the World Cup in Russia and his performance was amazing. This time he goes to the World Cup again, if he can continue to set the record for the highest age of the Japanese team he will become a point of view.
In addition, Portuguese central defender Pepe, legendary Brazilian right-back Alves, Mexican star Guardado, German team captain Neuer, French team center Benzema and Polish team captain Lewandowski and other older players, his performance also in this World Cup he received great attention.
Qatar is ready
For these football superstars who are about to draw the curtain, Qatar, the host of this World Cup, has shown full sincerity. In the final stage of the countdown, giant posters of ‘senior’ stars such as Messi, Ronaldo and Modric were hung on the streets of Doha, Qatar to pay their respects, and the strong World Cup atmosphere set in. For Qatar, like these football veterans, they are ready for the opening of this World Cup.
This World Cup is the first in history to be held in Qatar and the Middle East, and the second in Asia. At the same time, the World Cup in Qatar is held for the first time in the northern hemisphere winter.
It is reported that the distance between the eight stadiums of this World Cup and the center of Doha is an hour’s drive, and fans and players can prepare to leave at any time. In the early stages of the competition, fans will have the opportunity to watch multiple games per day, earning previously unavailable experience. Qatar also offers another 30,000 rooms for fans. In addition, this World Cup will also provide tourists with a lot of entertainment during the game. For example, the FIFA Fans Carnival will be held at Arbida Park and will welcome up to 40,000 fans each day.
In this regard, FIFA President Infantino said in a video speech: “We always firmly believe that Qatar will host the best World Cup ever. At this moment, the global enthusiasm has ignited, Qatar is ready and also the stage is set. We will work together on and off the pitch to create the most exciting World Cup in history.” (Worker’s Daily)
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责编：杨煜 ]
