The 2026 World Cup will undoubtedly be remembered in the coming years as Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi’s last dance. The Albiceleste captain has toyed with international retirement for a while, but at 38, this is likely the last time he’ll represent his country at world football’s biggest stage. However, he’s not alone.

Alongside Messi, plenty of stars from Latin America are likely wrapping up their international careers, with the upcoming 2030 Saudi Arabia World Cup likely a bridge too far for them.

Let’s take a look at who they are and what they achieved over their careers.

Guillermo Ochoa – Mexico

The 2026 World Cup will already be an important milestone in Guillermo Ochoa’s career, as he gets to represent his country at home. However, a surprising run to the deciding stages for the Tri will probably make Ochoa happier than most, with the legendary Mexican goalkeeper set to turn 41 just six days before the final.

Having come through the Club América academy, Ochoa debuted as a professional in 2004 at 18. An acrobatic goalkeeper with a taste for flair, he played in France, Spain, and Belgium before returning to Mexican team América in 2019. Since departing his home club in 2022, he’s played in Italy and Portugal and is currently with AEL Limassol in Cyprus.

Having represented Mexico in 153 games and five World Cups, he’ll become one of only three players — alongside Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo — to be selected for six tournaments.

Neymar Jr. – Brazil

It sounds difficult to believe Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. could be about to feature in the World Cup for the last time. However, at age 34 and having only narrowly made the squad for 2026, it’s also hard to see him holding on until 2030. 

Perhaps the last great Brazilian striker, and certainly the greatest of his generation, Neymar first impressed the world as a scrawny 17-year-old kid. Having come through at Santos, and with his devilish speed, dribbling skills, and flair, comparisons with Brazilian great Pelé were never too far.

Neymar moved to FC Barcelona in 2013, where he was part of the deadliest attacking trio of the era alongside Messi and Uruguay’s Luis Suárez. Four years later, however, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain, seeking greater exposure. It proved an unsuccessful move that eventually cost him, as injuries and pressure saw him lose some of his panache.

Since 2025, he’s been back at Santos, where he’s struggled to have the same impact.

James Rodríguez – Colombia

A similar case to Neymar, James Rodriguez is still only 34, even if he’ll be 35 before the World Cup ends. However, rumors of a potential post-World Cup retirement have recently surfaced, and while the Colombian star has rejected them, it seems unlikely he’ll reach 2030.

Having first broken through at Envigado, one of Colombia’s most prestigious football academy clubs, Rodríguez had his first big moments at Argentina’s Banfield, where he won the title in 2009. From there, he jumped to FC Porto in Portugal, AS Monaco in France, and then Real Madrid. 

However, the move to the Spanish giant proved difficult, and even after a successful loan stint at Bayern Munich in Germany, the Colombian star slowed down. Since then, he’s played for a myriad of clubs in England, Qatar, Greece, Brazil and Mexico and is currently part of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United.

Enner Valencia – Ecuador

The man who scored the first goal of Qatar 2022 and an Ecuadorian legend in his own right, Valencia was part of the generation that brought the South American country back to the World Cup after 8 years in 2014, alongside other greats like Antonio Valencia — not related — and Carlos Gruezo.

Having come through one of Ecuador’s biggest teams in Emelec, Valencia quickly showed his skill as a striker, earning moves to Mexico’s Pachuca first and England’s West Ham later.

After a long and successful career in which he became Ecuador’s all-time leading goalscorer, Valencia is back at Pachuca at 36. Having led his nation back to the World Cup twice in the last four years, and with strong prospects pushing behind him like Kendry Paez and Gonzalo Plata, it’s very unlikely that he’ll be back in four years’ time.