Chutiandu City Daily polar news reporter Chen Lingyan
There is a saying. Post-80s football celebrities, who have dominated an entire era in football, Messi, Ronaldo... These names shine brightly. They are talented and charismatic and have made world football a star-studded world. And time flows like merciless, and youth is gone. Born in the early 80s, already Ben Four; Those born in their 80s are also in their thirties.
This year's World Cup in Qatar, this group of post-80s superstars will collectively come to an end. The polar news reporter took stock of the most concerned among them, in order to bless this generation with no regrets in the World Cup trip.
Messi: The whole world expects him to come true
"These days, I am too worried, for fear that Messi will bump something, he falls once, my heart will tremble several times!" Seeing him fly to the UAE today to join the Argentine team is finally relieved. This comment from netizens fully reflects how important superstar Messi is to this World Cup and fans.
Messi
Born in 1987, Lionel Messi is 35 years old and this is the fifth World Cup trip of his career.
In 2006, 19-year-old Messi was a talented teenager in the World Cup, when Argentina stopped in the quarter-final; In the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the 23-year-old Messi was in full bloom, but history repeated itself, Argentina was blocked by Germany outside the 1/4 final; In the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the 27-year-old Messi was recognized as the "king of the ball" in the world, but in the final, Argentina lost 0:1 to Germany. At the award ceremony, the image of Messi rubbing shoulders with the Hercules Cup became one of the most tragic scenes in the history of the World Cup.
In today's world football, Messi has always been known for his amazing technical ability and unrivalled leadership, he is the goal machine in the team, the glue between the players, and the top card in the competition of the major clubs. Even if he steps into "30+" and the criticism of poor physical strength begins to rise, he can always prove with his performance on the field - Messi is not old! Still winning.
From the young Messi to the uncle Messi, fans all over the world are looking forward to him to lead the Argentine team to the championship, and the career of a generation of football kings should not leave regrets. This jewel in the crown, Messi deserves it.
Ronaldo: A superstar struggling in controversy
Cristiano Ronaldo, born in 1985, is a super big name comparable to Messi, and is also a handsome spokesperson and fashion trendsetter. Ronaldo was once called "great" because his Portuguese team was not weak, but it was not too strong. Cristiano Ronaldo's single-handedness to support the entire team is the most touching label of the superstar and a good story in the World Cup.
Ronaldo
Ronaldo is 37 years old this year and there is no doubt that 2022 is his last World Cup. However, unlike Messi, the superstar's current situation is quite complicated. On November 14, Ronaldo's interview with the famous British host Morgan was launched, in which he said that he was betrayed by the club's senior management and stated various grievances, including the "humiliation" of being beaten and kneaded by the manager, betrayed by Manchester United, and becoming a scapegoat for the team's poor performance. As soon as the news came out, it detonated the whole network.
Embarrassingly, the revelation did not reverse the controversy surrounding him over the year. During the season, he made transfers, treated fans rudely, left early... All kinds of negative reviews. Ronaldo, once regarded as a hero, became an overly willful overlord this year. Although many fans still choose to side with Ronaldo because "he is a legend and deserves respect", there are also many voices that believe that although Ronaldo has some grievances, he is compared with Messi's performance.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi were once the "peerless couples" who ruled an era, and now the reviews are very different. Some netizens even suggested that Ronaldo "stop making trouble", "when is it, don't hurry up to prepare for the World Cup", "I didn't expect a generation of superstar Ronaldo to make headlines in this way". In what form will Ronaldo, who was once infinitely beautiful, finally complete his last show in the World Cup?
Modric: The lonely figure of the tragic poet
At the World Cup in Russia 4 years ago, the "new golden generation" of the Croatian team became the biggest dark horse. From not being present at all to overcoming adversity and reaching the final, although it failed to win the championship in the end, the tragic story of this resilient team and many players growing up from the fire of war swept the entire football world. That year, Croatia became a hot search word, and "Croatian Rhapsody" was played repeatedly.
Modric
As the leader of the Croatian team, Modric, born in 1985, has become a unique "magic flute" in the hearts of fans around the world with his thin appearance, romantic temperament, calm competitive attitude and outlook on the big picture beyond ordinary people on the field. Now, whether the 37-year-old "magic flute" can play again, and how far the Croatian team's "plaid army" can go in this World Cup is also a topic of considerable concern.
The backbone of the Croatian team is concentrated in the midfield, the advantage is the balance of attack and defense, and the disadvantage is the age. Modric remains a midfielder and is responsible for threading the needle. Up front, they have up-and-coming stars such as Kramaric in recent years, but the sharpness of the front line is still to be tested on the field.
Regardless of the outcome, it will be the last World Cup of Modric's career.
"Imagine that when the final whistle blows, Modric silently turns around, his back disappears little by little at the end of the light, I think I will cry!" Mr. Zhang, a fan of Modric, said that this scene will be a big pain point in the hearts of "The Magic Flute" fans.
Benzema: Uncle Beard's Last Battle
Benzema, born in 1987, will celebrate his 35th birthday during the World Cup. The French striker, who won the Ballon d'Or this year, would be perfect if another World Cup winner added to him.
Benzema
Benzema has been in excellent form this season. Previously, he was once considered a "superstar hidden by the light of Messi and Ronaldo", but fortunately he finally kept the clouds open and saw the moon. In a recent interview, Benzema was sincere and conservative about the World Cup: "I have no pressure, only a desire to start, only a desire to participate, and we want to show our ability on the pitch in front of millions of people waiting for this tournament to start. I'm here for France and I'm going to prove that I deserve to be in this team. ”
As a soccer star who survived until his uncle, this year could well be the last World Cup of Benzema's career. He stressed rationally: "I don't say to myself 'I want to play in the World Cup, I need to win the World Cup', I am not playing alone, so there is no point in putting pressure on myself. ”
It is also worth looking forward to how far Benzema's horse ends up running in the World Cup.
【Tips】
It was also their last World Cup
Dani Alves 39 years old Brazil team
Thiago Silva 38 years old Brazil team
Thomas Müller 33 years old Germany team
Luis Suarez 35 years old Uruguay
Robert Lewandowski 34 years old Poland
Di Maria 34 years old Argentina
Olivier Giroud 36 years old France
(Image source: Xinhua News Agency)