As the new tournament of the Euros approaches, football fans worldwide are bracing themselves to bid farewell to some of the legends of the game.
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. This applies to even the most accomplished and celebrated athletes, as retirement is an inevitable part of every athlete's career.
Here are the top 10 players nearing or past their retirement age who can make Euro 2024 their last resort in their international careers and not only.
1. Pepe, 41 y/o
The Portugal international is one of the most celebrated football players of his generation. Despite his age, Pepe continues to exhibit exceptional talent and actively contributes to his team's success both in international competitions and inter-club games for Porto.
The key defender has scored 8 goals in a total of 133 experiences since his debut season in the Portugal national team in 2007 till now. He just extended his contract with Porto in April and has no plans to retire just yet, however after the major international competition might seem like the best time to leave the podium.
2. Manuel Neuer, 38 y/o
The legendary German goalkeeper is widely recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Neuer has been a mainstay of the German national team, having started in 117 games and leading the team to unprecedented heights, such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Bayern Munich and Die Mannschaft captain has a record of the most clean sheets in Bundesliga history. As a sweeper-keeper, the 37-year-old has been an inseparable part of the success of both teams.
3. Luka Modric, 38 y/o
Modric is a highly skilled and devoted player for both his national team and Real Madrid. The 37-year-old baller is best known for his vision and control of the pitch as a skilled midfielder.
The Croatian team captain appeared in 164 international games, where he scored 23 goals and proved himself as an effective leader of the team. According to the Croatian 24Sata outlet, Euro 2024 will be "last dance" for the Croatian legend who will retire by the time he is 39.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo, 39 y/o
After having his hopes shattered at the World Cup, Ronaldo remained as the captain of Portugal’s national team in pursuit of trophies for his homeland. As per Portugal's national team's manager, "Cristiano will conclude his career the day he realizes his body cannot offer him what he desires on the field. Presently, his hunger to conquer all trophies endures".
The football legend has a world record for men’s international caps after making his 198th appearance for the Portuguese team. He is also an all-time-top scorer both in his national team and clubs, with a record of 834 senior career goals. Whether he retires soon or not, at this point in his career, Ronaldo has already earned the title of an exceptional and history-maker football player.
5. Leonardo Bonucci, 36 y/o
Last tournament, the Italian team captain celebrated the apex of his international career after defeating England and winning the EURO 2020 trophy. Bonucci has been a key player in 120 games in the national team since 2010. It was announced, that the Italian man will retire from football in the summer of 2024.
The 35-year-old Italian spent the majority of his career at Juventus, where he established himself as an excellent defender and captain. His success and leadership at the club over the years have contributed to him becoming a renowned professional.
6. Robert Lewandowski, 35 y/o
Lewandowski started his professional career in 2005 and has gained widespread recognition for his outstanding performance with Bundesliga clubs. The Polish striker has scored 631 goals in total. There’s no surprise that his former colleague at Bayern, Muller gave him the nickname "Lewangoalski".
In addition to his club success, Lewandowski has also been a key player for the Polish national team, helping the team qualify for the UEFA Euro and FIFA World Cup tournaments since 2016. In 2023, the Polish star revealed that his retirement is "close".
7. Thomas Müller, 34 y/o
Known for his versatility, quick thinking, and clinical finishing. Müller is one of the key ballers in the German national team. He has been a mainstay in the German national team since his debut in 2010.
Throughout his extensive career in Bayern Munich, Müller played a crucial role in the club’s treble-winning season in 2013, scoring 23 goals in all competitions and being named as the German Footballer of the Year. Muller almost retired after the 2022 World Cup, however the Euro 2024 might actually be his last resort.
8. Ivan Perišić, 35 y/o
The Croatian winger had an illustrious career playing for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Currently, Perišić is a midfielder in Tottenham, while his achievements with Inter Milan and the Croatian national team will be remembered for years to come.
Since his debut in 2011, Perišić has been a regular part of the Croatian national team. He played a crucial role in helping Croatia reach the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and paving successful paths in other tournaments.
9. İlkay Gündoğan, 33 y/o
The Barcelona player is approaching his retirement age, as well. The German midfielder has been a regular member of Die Mannschaft, having debuted there in 2011 and has been an integral part of the team’s success since then. In 2023, Gundogan announced that he has no plans to retire yet.
With his current club, Gündoğan has won several trophies, including three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and four EFL Cups. The citizen captain scored 40 goals in a total of 183 appearances.
10. Simon Kjær, 35 y/o
The Danish captain has played in several European clubs throughout his professional career that debuted in 2017. At his advanced age, Kjær has played in 124 international games on behalf of his country.
One of Kjaer's most notable moments came during the Euro 2020 tournament when he showed great leadership and composure in helping to save the life of Christian Eriksen, who collapsed on the field during a match.
11.Thibaut Courtois, 31 y/o
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has revealed that he won't play in EURO 2024. Courtois: "Due to the injury, I will NOT play in the Euros. First, I have to recover 100%."