LAST FOR THIS QUARTET AS WELL...

THE FIFA WORLD CUP IN RUSSIA COULD WELL BE THE FAREWELL TOURNAMENT FOR QUITE A FEW BIG NAMES. IF LIONEL MESSI DOESN’T WIN THE TITLE IT WOULD ALMOST BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO GO TO QATAR FOUR YEARS LATER. AND, RONALDO WILL BE 37 IN 2022. APART FROM THE BIG TWO, WE WILL ALSO LOOK AT OTHER PROMINENT NAMES THAT COULD BE HAVING THEIR SWANSONG IN RUSSIA.

ANDRÉS INIESTA ( 34, SPAIN)

HE scored the winning goal at the 2010 World Cup, may well hang up his international boots after Russia. It would not only be a loss to Spain but also to the football world. World Cup debut: Saudi Arabia 01 Spain, 23 June 2006 TOURNAMENTS: 2006, 2010, 2014 APPEARANCES SO FAR: 10 MEMORABLE WORLD CUP MOMENT: Scoring the goal that won the Final at South Africa 2010.

TIM CAHILL ( 38, AUS)

Nobody would dispute his commitment. The combative player’s goals were the constant in Australia’s last three World Cups. World Cup debut: Australia 3- 1 Japan, 12 June 2006 Tournaments: 2006, 2010, 2014 Appearances so far: 8 Memorable World Cup moment: His superb volley against the Netherlands at Brazil 2014.

JAVIER MASCHERANO ( 33, ARGENTINA):

He is the second most important player in the Argentina squad after Lionel Messi. Can he go all the way in Russia? World Cup debut: Argentina 2- 1 Cote d’Ivoire, 10 June 2006 Tournaments: 2006, 2010, 2014 Appearances so far: 16 Memorable World Cup moment: His last- ditch tackle to deny Arjen Robben a winning goal in the SF of 2014.