4 years in the making…

Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come. The time when all football fans worldwide unite for, as Ricky Martin called it in ’98, the Cup of Life. The very best players and teams will be taking the stage in Qatar, with each and every one of them competing for the most coveted accolade in the history of sport – the title of World Champions of Football. Brace yourselves, for the world’s most monumental sporting competition, is back… 

THE FIFA WORLD CUP. 

Now, whilst football fans consider every World Cup to be magical, this one is particularly special. Some have even coined it the “Last Dance”, as this will most likely be the final World Cup in which the two GOATs of football will be playing in. With both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo reaching their late 30s, this will most likely be their last chance to achieve what they have both sought after for almost two decades.  

For Cristiano Ronaldo, this World Cup is do or die. After a rocky start to the 2022 season, the Portuguese talisman will be hungrier than ever to strive for some success alongside the likes of Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, and Bruno Fernandes. In previous World Cups, CR7 has struggled to make it past the round of 16, even after his stellar performances such as his hat trick against Spain in 2018. However, all football fans know that the superstar is no stranger to international football. Holding the title as the highest international goalscorer to date, it would certainly be a mistake to write Cristiano off World Cup glory. 

Lionel Messi, on the other hand, has in recent years found the form of his life with the Argentina squad. After a heartbreaking departure from his beloved FC Barcelona, Leo soon after won his first international trophy – the Copa America, finishing the competition as top goalscorer and player of the tournament, and has never looked back since. He’s won numerous domestic titles, Supercups, Champions league titles, and a record-breaking seven Balon D’or awards – but even he has admitted that he would trade this all for a World Cup in a heartbeat! Such is the prestige of this major trophy, and whilst Messi is widely regarded as the GOAT of football today, winning the World Cup with Argentina would settle the debate forever.   

Now – the headlines for this year’s World Cup may portray this “Messi vs Ronaldo” narrative, but there is one more player who has announced that this will be his last World Cup. Widely considered as the third best player of this generation, Neymar Jr and Brazil are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with this year in Qatar. The Brazilian magician has had an incredible start to the 2022 season, and will be looking to continue this form in Qatar after experiencing a low in his career for the past few years. I, for one, am expecting to see many elasticos and rainbow flicks, as well as many dives from the PSG star, and am certain that he will bring much entertainment, drama and flair to the world stage this year. 

With Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar among many others battling for the title of World Champions, one question remains on every football fan’s mind… 

Who will win the 2022 World Cup?